Manchester United hope to tie up a pre contract agreement with Fernando Llorente as the Spaniard enters the final year of his current contract with Athletic Bilbao.
The 27 year old was a part of the La Furia Roja which successfully retained their European championship crown earlier this summer but was not used by Vicente Del Bosque as the veteran coach opted Fernando Torres and Alvaro Negredo ahead of him. The striker had a brilliant last season helping the La Liga side to finals of Copa Del Rey and Europa League and has been eyed by Premier League clubs as a top transfer target. Arsenal and Manchester City, who are admirers of the classy striker, could also pose threats to United’s hopes of tying up a deal.
The Spain international has 12 months left in his contract and is yet to sign a new contract with his current employers. The Basque club value him at close to £35m which none of the interested parties are willing to match. Sir Alex Ferguson plans to open talks with Llorente in January in hope for tying him down to a pre contract agreement which would see him getting paid around £140,000 per week.
Bilabo have reiterated their desire to keep the star striker at the club but the player’s absence during last Thursday’s Europa League victory over Slaven Belupo has cast doubts over his future.