Newcastle have been linked with Real Socieded defender Llorente, but face competition from Spurs and Liverpool.
Newcastle United are reportedly battling Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool for Real Sociedad defender Diego Llorente ahead of the January transfer window – but Newcastle fans have rubbished the reports.
Spanish outlet Cadena Ser claim Newcastle are one of three Premier League sides chasing the 25-year-old defender, who has a release clause in his contract worth £26.7million.
The former Real Madrid defender is highly-rated in Spain, and even won his second cap for his country on Saturday in a 1-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Llorente was in excellent form for Sociedad last season, scoring seven goals from centre-back in 34 games. This season, injury has stunted his progress but he has now returned from an ankle injury which saw him miss six La Liga matches.
Newcastle have plenty of options at centre-back after signing Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez in the summer, along with Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clarke and Florian Lejeune.
For that reason, Newcastle fans have dismissed reports suggesting that the club are after another centre-back in Llorente, while some reckon that The Toon will struggle to beat Liverpool and Spurs in the race for the Spaniard’s signature.
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