Fernando Llorente has revealed he wants to stay with Tottenham for the new season despite rumours of a possible exit.
The Spaniard, who arrived from Swansea City on deadline day last summer, has been linked with a return to either Italy or Spain, where he had spells with Juventus and Athletic Bilbao respectively.
Llorente endured a difficult debut season with Spurs, scoring only five goals across all competitions and just once in the Premier League.
But the 33-year-old impressed in the opening friendly of Tottenham’s pre-season tour of the US, scoring twice as Mauricio Pochettino’s side thrashed AS Roma 4-1.
And Llorente insists he is feeling fresh and ready to help out the team more in the 2018/19 campaign.
“I feel very good here and I would like to help the team more than last year and try to score more goals,” he said (via the London Evening Standard).
“Last year I started with my arm broken and it was difficult for me. Now I am trying to get an opportunity to play games in pre-season. I feel very good physically. And I don’t have any [injury] problems. I’m 33 but I’m good!”
The striker also admitted it took a while for him to adjust to being back-up for Harry Kane last term.
“When you don’t play every week, it’s difficult to be fit,” Llorente added. “It’s not easy but I know the situation. Harry is an unbelievable player and he wants to play and always score two or three. It’s good for the team and I only have to be ready when my opportunity is coming.
“Normally at other clubs, I’m playing and it’s easy for be to be fit every week but the situation here is different, so I have to change my mindset, stay strong and keep working because I think I can help the team at important moments this season.”
Of course, there is still a chance Spurs will receive a tempting bid for Llorente before the transfer window closes on August 9th.
If Tottenham reignite their interest in Manchester United striker Anthony Martial before the deadline, Llorente may be deemed surplus to requirements.
