Thursday, 14th October 2010
Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona and Real Madrid are preparing to do battle over Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente. The 25-year-old has broken through into the Spanish national team, where he has become a key part of Vicente del Bosque’s squad, further confirming the talent he has shown in La Liga.
Llorente is under contract until 2013 with Athletic Bilbao and has a buy-out clause which is set at €36M. This figure is too rich for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, but each believe the striker will be allowed to leave for less than that amount.
Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola sees Llorente as able to offer the side a ‘Plan B’ with his physical strength, in much the same was as Zlatan Ibrahimovic was supposed to do upon his arrival from Inter.
Jose Mourinho meanwhile, has insisted that he needs another forward at the Bernabeu and Llorente fits the profile of the sort of player the Portuguese boss is aiming for.
Latest Features:
