Athletic Bilbao president Aitor Elizegi says he wants Fernando Llorente back at the San Mames Stadium. The 34-year-old is out of contract at Tottenham this summer and could be on the move as there’s no talk of him signing an extension.
Llorente been short of playing time ever since his arrival from Swansea City in 2017, making only four Premier League starts in two seasons, but his next destination is unknown. The Spanish international left Bilbao to join Juventus back in 2013 and Elizegi has made no secret of wanting the striker back.
He told Tele Bilbao (h/t AS): “Any of those three (Javi Martinez, Ander Herrera, Llorente) could play in the team. Athletic has the ability to go through with these type of transfers. I hope that Javi, Herrera or Llorente would like to make this effort, which would be a generous one.”
Llorente scored 111 goals in 327 games for Bilbao in nine years before his less than amicable departure. He’s in the eve of his career now but has proven he can still find the back of the net. The Spaniard has contributed 11 goals in just 762 minutes of football in all competitions this season, averaging a goal/assist every 69 minutes.
Bilbao are currently ninth in La Liga with 37 points from 28 games, having scored just 28 goals for their troubles. Inaki Williams is their top scorer this season with eight goals while Iker Munian has six. Llorente could bring more goals to the side next season if he made the switch.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Transfer-target won’t join Tottenham, arrival would anger Alderweireld and Eriksen