Arsenal
Llorente Set To Open Talks In January And Reveals ‘Interesting’ Offers
Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has claimed he received some ‘interesting offers’ during the summer and has refused to commit his future to the club
Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, Fernando Llorente discusses his future.
Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has claimed he received some ‘interesting offers’ during the summer and has refused to commit his future to the club, according to talkSPORT.
The 27-year-old hitman has less than 12 months to run on his current contract with Bilbao and has so far refused to sign an extension.
The stand-off has alerted several big names throughout Europe as Llorente was linked with a summer move away from La Liga.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham were all credited with interest in the Spanish international, as well as Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan, but talkSPORT claim that Chelsea, City and Juve are the front runners and have made formal enquiries over the players availability.
All interested parties will be keen to learn that Llorente himself has revealed he will be taking stock of his options this January – when he’s free to talk with other clubs – and claims he received some interesting offers to leave this summer, but Bilbao refused to let him go for anything less than him release clause.
‘I can not guarantee that I will still be with Athletic in 2013. In January I’m free to talk and I will consider all my options,’ Llorente admitted.
‘I had some interesting offers in the summer, but each time Athletic referred them to my release clause.’
Llorente is quoted as saying by talkSPORT
However, the player has not entirely ruled out the possibility of renewing his contract with the club. He continued:
‘There is of course a chance of renewing my contract with the club – I’ve spoken often with both the president and the coach, and they’re helping me in every way possible,’ he added.
Despite Llorente leaving the door open to a stay with Athletico, it looks increasingly unlikely as the fans have clearly not forgiven him for refusing to commit to the club, and even booed him when he scored on his return against Espanyol at the weekend.
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Should he make a move away several Premier League clubs will be expressing an interest with the bidding due to start at £15m this winter.
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