Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to let Fernando Llorente leave this summer.
Despite playing an important role in helping Tottenham to the Champions League final, Fernando Llorente is set to leave the club when his contract expires in the summer, according to a recent report from The Sun.
Llorente’s departure may not be a huge blow for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but it is still going to be a tough task for Spurs to replace him with someone who is going to do a better job knowing that they are arriving to largely be Harry Kane’s understudy.
However, following West Brom’s play-off heartbreak this week, perhaps Spurs should consider a fresh move for Jay Rodriguez, offering the former Southampton man the chance to still return to the Premier League this summer, and with one of its top clubs.
The Baggies missed out on a spot at Wembley after being beaten by Aston Villa on penalties in their semi-final. But the 29-year-old will be reflecting upon another hugely impressive campaign for him personally.
Rodriguez – who scored seven league goals last year and did more than most to try and keep West Brom in the Premier League – found the back of the net 22 times in the Championship.
He is back to looking a lot more like the player that looked destined for a spot in England’s World Cup squad in 2014 had he not suffered the injury that kept him sidelined for 16 months.
At no point in his Premier League career has Rodriguez looked better than when he was working under Pochettino at St Mary’s. And while a lot has changed since then, his return to form hints that he could still do a job as Kane’s understudy if Spurs decided to sign him this summer.
The Burnley Express reported in August that Tottenham wanted Rodriguez. And with West Brom set for another year in the Championship, now may be a fantastic time to pursue a move as his asking price will be much lower than if they had gone up.
Rodriguez also offers versatility, having played all over the frontline for the Baggies this past season. He may not be the kind of target that would capture the imagination given the direction Spurs are heading in – and perhaps he should not be the first name on their striker wishlist – but he would arguably tick the boxes as Pochettino looks to replace Llorente with a capable striker who will be content with his role within the squad.
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