Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente recently revealed that he sought advice from ex-Liverpool stars Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres over a potential move to the Premier League. It's no secret that the Reds are long-term admirers of the Spanish star, and Llorente himself confirmed earlier in the year that representatives from Anfield 'came to Bilbao' to negotiate a possible transfer. Llorente's team-mate, Fernando Amorebieta is also on the club's wanted list, but it looks like Liverpool may be forced to wait until the summer to move forward with any transfer deals.
Speaking to the Spanish Press yesterday, Athletic Bilbao President Josu Urrutia provided an update on the futures of Llorente and Amorebieta. He said:
"There will not be any movement in the winter. The team is much more competitive with Llorente in attack.
"There is no progress with Amorebieta, but we are expecting a positive response from his representatives soon. We know that the player wants to renew [his contract]."
Llorente's current deal contains a €36million (£29million) buy-out clause, and last month, Basque public television channel Euskal Telebista (ETB), announced the following on its website:
"Fernando Llorente wants to leave Athletic and he informed the directors on Friday. The player cites sporting reasons for making the decision"
It appears that Llorente has made up his mind to leave, but the move will probably take place in the summer, which ties in with Urrutia's statement.
In April 2012, Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner suggested that transfer funds would not be a problem for the right player:
"I would say we certainly have the resources to compete with anybody in football"
Signing the Spaniard may appear to be a pipe dream for LFC fans at the moment, but if Brendan Rodgers were really interested, I'm sure FSG would put up the money to sign him, or a striker of comparable quality.
Luis Suarez joined Liverpool when the club was not in the Champions League, so it's conceivable that other top players could do the same. In my view, FSG should pull out all the stops to sign him.
As for Amorebieta - According to reports in Italy and Spain this week, Bilbao have rejected Liverpool's €12m offer for the 27-year old star, and the club is now readying an improved €14m bid.
Amorebieta - nicknamed 'El Indomable' (The Indomitable) by the Bilbao's fans - has a £26m release clause in his contract, but given the fact his current contract expires in June 2013, Bilbao will have to give him a new contract, or risk losing him for nothing in one year.
Jaimie Kanwar
Speaking to the Spanish Press yesterday, Athletic Bilbao President Josu Urrutia provided an update on the futures of Llorente and Amorebieta. He said:
"There will not be any movement in the winter. The team is much more competitive with Llorente in attack.
"There is no progress with Amorebieta, but we are expecting a positive response from his representatives soon. We know that the player wants to renew [his contract]."
Llorente's current deal contains a €36million (£29million) buy-out clause, and last month, Basque public television channel Euskal Telebista (ETB), announced the following on its website:
"Fernando Llorente wants to leave Athletic and he informed the directors on Friday. The player cites sporting reasons for making the decision"
It appears that Llorente has made up his mind to leave, but the move will probably take place in the summer, which ties in with Urrutia's statement.
In April 2012, Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner suggested that transfer funds would not be a problem for the right player:
"I would say we certainly have the resources to compete with anybody in football"
Signing the Spaniard may appear to be a pipe dream for LFC fans at the moment, but if Brendan Rodgers were really interested, I'm sure FSG would put up the money to sign him, or a striker of comparable quality.
Luis Suarez joined Liverpool when the club was not in the Champions League, so it's conceivable that other top players could do the same. In my view, FSG should pull out all the stops to sign him.
As for Amorebieta - According to reports in Italy and Spain this week, Bilbao have rejected Liverpool's €12m offer for the 27-year old star, and the club is now readying an improved €14m bid.
Amorebieta - nicknamed 'El Indomable' (The Indomitable) by the Bilbao's fans - has a £26m release clause in his contract, but given the fact his current contract expires in June 2013, Bilbao will have to give him a new contract, or risk losing him for nothing in one year.
Jaimie Kanwar
