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Fernando Llorente

NickHSpurs

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2004
13,626
11,875
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera and Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente are transfer targets for Athletic Bilbao, according to the club’s new director of football Rafa Alkorta.

In an interview with Spanish radio network Cadena SER, Alkorta said: "We are interested in Javi Martinez, Ibai Gomez, Ander Herrera, Fernando Llorente... all of them interest us."

As part of club policy, Athletic Bilbao only sign players born in the Basque Country or who came through the youth ranks of Basque clubs.

Both Herrera and Llorente meet that criteria and have already had previous spells at the club, playing 128 and 327 games for Bilbao respectively.
 

Kspur

Well-Known Member
Jul 13, 2014
498
739
As part of club policy, Athletic Bilbao only sign players born in the Basque Country or who came through the youth ranks of Basque clubs.

Always think this is absolutely bonkers.

Thanks for the reminder that there could be worse self imposed constraints than we have.
 

The Mourneview Ace

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2019
197
513
They more or less declared an interest in all of their former players. I suppose when your hands are tied like theirs are then it’s tricky. Imagine if they had a Levy on their purse-strings!

Anyway, Fernando is much too handsome to let go.
 

DJS

A hoonter must hoont
Dec 9, 2006
31,261
21,760
Very strange policy by Bilbao but could be to our benefit if means we can get a bigger fee out of them than we would from other clubs who have a wider net.
 

LeParisien

Wrong about everything
Mar 5, 2018
3,212
8,169
Would be interesting to know what question prompted that answer. Sounds like “do any former players interest you?” or something similar. He just rattled off a list of former players
 

SargeantMeatCurtains

Your least favourite poster
Jan 5, 2013
11,764
61,758
Would be interesting to know what question prompted that answer. Sounds like “do any former players interest you?” or something similar. He just rattled off a list of former players
They have a policy of only signing Basque players and with Bilbao’s stock plummeting in recent years, they haven’t really got much choice.
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
7,958
29,657
Bilbao are loaded with cash but can't spend it :-

"The team is flush with cash, with about 200 million euros, or about $228 million, in reserves, and has access to another 90 million euros that "

Source

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/sports/soccer/athletic-bilbao-relegation.html


1547160074933.jpeg


" How much?"
 

NickHSpurs

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2004
13,626
11,875
Barcelona have been linked with a shock move for Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente, according to reports in Spain.

The Spanish giants are looking for a back-up player to bolster their ranks in attack after they sold Munir El Haddadi to Sevilla earlier this month.

Athletic Bilbao are also said to be interested in the 33-year-old, report Mundo Deportivo.

:LOL:
 

GetSpurredOn

Well-Known Member
Jun 18, 2006
5,022
8,922
However he’s done for us, he was always going to have enough credit in Spain to earn a decent move back home.
However, the bigger question is, can we afford to let him go with no other CF cover around, as I don’t see us bringing anyone else in.
Kane - took a knock yesterday
Son - off to play for South Korea
Janssen - way out of favour, not even registered currently, but obviously that could change if Llorente left.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
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He's looked sharper and fitter this year in his limited minutes. Especially with Harry's injury I think we have to hold on to him.
 

Ghost Hardware

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
17,996
61,593
He's looked sharper and fitter this year in his limited minutes. Especially with Harry's injury I think we have to hold on to him.
If there is money to be made from Llorente I don't see Levy turning it down regardless of our injuries. I do however agree with you however, we need him.
 

ardiles

Well-Known Member
Nov 24, 2006
13,228
40,308
If we get a relatively good offer, I think we might allow him to go but only at the end of the month as Son would, by then, be back or almost back from the Asian Cup.
 

pedrodelawasp

Morton season ticket holder, Spurs fan from afar
Jan 14, 2019
1,446
2,449
Hello - first time poster (previously frequented a Spurs forum that appears to have met its demise)

If a good bid were to come in for Llorente I can see it being accepted. Selling one of the older squad members, ideally for a modest profit, makes sense on the balance sheet.

You would expect him to want to go somewhere he'll play more regularly as he approaches the latter stages of his career, though he'd also find it difficult to turn down the chance to turn out for Barca, even in a limited capacity.

Would really hope for some cover to be brought in if he does go, though. Also, he seems a decent bloke who has been quiet and not complaining about his lack of minutes, staying professional and doing what is asked of him. I like that sort of player!
 

whitechina

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2012
4,225
9,094
Hello - first time poster (previously frequented a Spurs forum that appears to have met its demise)

If a good bid were to come in for Llorente I can see it being accepted. Selling one of the older squad members, ideally for a modest profit, makes sense on the balance sheet.

You would expect him to want to go somewhere he'll play more regularly as he approaches the latter stages of his career, though he'd also find it difficult to turn down the chance to turn out for Barca, even in a limited capacity.

Would really hope for some cover to be brought in if he does go, though. Also, he seems a decent bloke who has been quiet and not complaining about his lack of minutes, staying professional and doing what is asked of him. I like that sort of player!
Welcome
A nice first post and I agree
If llorentte moves on then I hope we have a replacement in mind
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,388
If there is money to be made from Llorente I don't see Levy turning it down regardless of our injuries. I do however agree with you however, we need him.

A top 4 finish would surely bring in more money than a fee for Llorente. Madness to sell him at this precise moment IMO.
 
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