Tottenham misfit Llorente to Athletic Bilbao

Spurs striker, Fernando Llorente has been offered the chance to end his difficult spell by returning to Athletic Bilbao.

The 33-year-old Spaniard signed for the north Londoners shortly before the summer transfer deadline in 2017. Far from providing support or competition for Harry Kane, however, Llorente has been a fringe player.

Rafa Alkorta, Bilbao’s sporting director, has confirmed the club want to re-sign the striker as well as trying to convince Ander Herrera to return with the Manchester United midfielder’s contract set to expire this summer.

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“We are interested in Javi Martinez, Ibai [Gomez], Ander Herrera, Llorente…” said Alkorta. “It’s obvious that any player that can play for Athletic is of interest to us.

“Nothing is easy but we are interested in having all of the ones that can come. We have not made any moves yet. We will start on Tuesday and we will see what can be done.”

Athletic’s transfer policy limits them to signing Basque players only. Llorente, despite scoring a hat-trick in the FA Cup third round tie against Tranmere on Friday, has been surplus to requirements at Spurs for some time.

Llorente is viewed as a legend at Bilbao. He started his career there, joining the club as an 11-year-old. He working his way through the various youth ranks and becoming one of the most important offensive players for the club in the following decade,

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Spurs are on course to lose him on a free this summer anyway with his contract set to expire. But they could be prepared to sell him this month to reinvest in a younger man, should they receive a suitable offer.