Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Llorente continues to be linked with a move back to Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao sporting director Rafa Alkorta has been quoted by Mundo Deportivo as saying that he can’t rule out a summer move for Fernando Llorente.
Llorente, who turns 34 later this month, hasn’t enjoyed the best stint with Tottenham Hotspur since a 2017 move from Swansea City, scoring just five times in 30 games last term.
The Spaniard has been called upon recently though after an ankle injury to Harry Kane, and has notched two goals and three assists in his last five games.
Llorente, who started against Leicester City on Sunday and set up Christian Eriksen’s goal, has stepped up of late and has at least put himself in contention for a new deal.
Llorente’s contract expires at the end of the season, and he looked all set for the Spurs exit door before this recent run of form.
One club seemingly keen on Llorente is Athletic Bilbao, the club made his name with having hit 118 goals in 333 games for the Basque side.
Now, Athletic director Alkorta has suggested there may be interest in Llorente, as there is in any Basque player given the club’s strict transfer policy, and ended his comments by saying ‘you never know’.
“He is in the orbit of Athletic in the same way as any player who can wear the red and white shirt. He is a spectacular footballer,” said Alkorta. “You never know,” he added.
A move for another striker may be something of a surprise, given that Athletic only just added another striker in Copenhagen ace Kenan Kodro.
Yet with Aritz Aduriz 38 today and out of contract this summer, Athletic may be looking to Llorente to fill that veteran target man role at San Mames for the final stages of his career.
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