Tottenham’s Fernando Llorente is out of contract at the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Fernando Llorente has told Mundo Deportivo that a return to Athletic Bilbao is an option – and was speaking like he already knows he’s leaving.
Spurs saw Vincent Janssen struggle during the 2016-17 season having been brought in as cover for Harry Kane, meaning Mauricio Pochettino went back into the transfer market for another striker on deadline day in August 2017.
Spurs swooped to land Llorente from Swansea City after 15 goals in his first Premier League season, with the Spanish target man brought in as proven backup for Kane in what appeared to be a perfect move.
However, the 33-year-old only managed five goals in 30 games last season, and has made just two appearances this season, playing just nine minutes of Premier League action as he struggles for playing time.
Llorente was linked with a summer move away from Spurs but ended up staying with the club, even though his future appears to lie away from North London as he approaches the end of his contract.
Llorente will become a free agent next summer as his Spurs deal will expire, and new comments given to Mundo Deportivo suggest that he has given up all hope of earning a new contract.
Llorente suggested that he hasn’t thought of anything just yet, but returning to former club Athletic Bilbao is an option on the table, and hinted that he would be interested in staying in the Premier League or heading back to Italy or Spain.
Llorente added that he isn’t disappointed in Pochettino for not playing him, as he tries to put himself in the Argentinian’s shoes, acknowledging that he has a tough task balancing his squad, whilst also being aware that being picked ahead of Kane is tough.
“I have not thought of anything yet,” said Llorente. “I’m focused on my work at Tottenham and I do not want to look any further. I try to get more minutes and I get better every day. Back to Athletic? It is one of the options. For the family, I would like to continue in Europe but we will see what offers there are when the season ends. Continue in the Premier League, return to Spain or even Italy, where I was very happy.”
“I try to put myself in his skin. He has a complicated task because we all want to play. It should not be easy to leave out players who are training well. In the end he chooses those he believes will give the best, thinking about the collective. And in my case I am also aware that I am in one of the great teams in Europe, with a lot of competition in attack with Kane, who is a phenomenal footballer, and that makes it difficult to have regularity,” he added.
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