Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente has admitted he would be keen to rejoin his former club Athletic Bilbao in the January transfer window.
Llorente signed for Spurs in the summer of 2017 but has struggled for first-team minutes, scoring just six goals across all competitions – three of those came against League One side Rochdale in an FA Cup tie last season.
The Spaniard has failed to provide adequate cover and competition for Harry Kane, although it’s worth noting Mauricio Pochettino still sometimes turns to Llorente when Tottenham are in need of a late goal.
However, his substitute appearance against Barcelona on Tuesday night could be one of his last for the club if the 33-year-old’s latest comments are anything to go by.
Llorente has confirmed his ambition is to rejoin Bilbao if such a move becomes a possibility.
“My priority is to feel important in a team,” he told El Larguero de la SER (via FourFourTwo). “If I had the opportunity to talk, for me yes. I would go back [to Bilbao].
“Leaving in the winter market does not depend on me. Athletic would have to talk to Tottenham and [chairman Daniel] Levy.”
Spurs rested Kane in last weekend’s 2-0 Premier League victory at Leicester City, but Pochettino opted for a front two of Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura rather than calling on Llorente to play a part.
It will be interesting to see whether Tottenham pursue another centre-forward if Llorente is allowed to leave next month.
