Fernando Llorente has an uncertain future at Tottenham. The Sun reported on Saturday that the 34-year-old will leave this summer, but no official confirmation has been made by Spurs. Llorente was on the periphery earlier in the season, but he’s proven to be an able deputy to Harry Kane and a hero in the Champions League which may give Mauricio Pochettino pause for thought.
As per rule 67.2 of the EFL regulations, Tottenham have to confirm the player’s future by the ‘third Saturday of May’, which gives them four more days. The Londoners wouldn’t want to announce bad news before their Champions League final on June 1, but they’re obliged to comply with the rules. Llorente could be on his way out in seven weeks, or he could stay for 12 more months.
The Spanish international has done everything in his power to earn a new deal with Tottenham, scoring and creating 13 goals in 34 games in all competitions – 11 of which were starts. Llorente was a game-changer in the Champions League semi-final, impressing after coming off the bench, but his age could go against him.
He’ll turn 35 next year and may not be worth paying another £3.9m to retain his services when they have a whole summer to sign backup for Harry Kane.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Report: Tottenham may have to pay £60m and £4.7m wages to sign highly-rated defender