Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is ready to break the bank to sign Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

 Llorente has emerged this season as Spain's prime striker ahead of Fernando Torres and Barcelona's David Villa.

Manchester United and Manchester City have been linked with Llorente in recent weeks.

However, Radio Cadena Ser says Hodgson, armed with cash from new club owners NESV, is willing to meet Llorente's €36 million buyout clause to bring the striker to Merseyside in January.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/transfer-gossip/reds-ponder-meeting-buyout-clause-for-llorente

Would be cool.

Would love him but no way in a million years are NESV going to sanction a £36 million for a player.

Would take him in an instant. Even at that price. Cant see us saying so much for him with the smarter investment stratagy we have all read about. Player plus cash more likely though. 

I rate him, but £36m is just too much for me.

We don't have any Basque players though, racer. They only play Basque players.

36m is steep but he's F***ing good. Even then, i'd have to pull out. Dzeko would be available for less.

A yes. I forgot we already offloaded our basque defender. Not that a couple of mill would have made a difference

super player,But 30 mill is way to much, david villa cost the same and he can score goals blind folded.

fernando llorente torres

would love to see him partner torres

Excellent player and one I'd like here but £30M is a lot of money.

classy lad but being realistic all signs from NESV show we wont be coughing up 30m for a player. Plus id love to know where these rumours come from cus roy prob doesnt even know who he is

Too expensive but a top quality player.

Would be perfect with Torres.

Would love to see him in a red shirt, but no way are NESV going to throw that sort of cash around.

36m is way too steep. Would love to see him here, but i just can't see us paying that much for the lad.

For a start its not 36million like some said. Actually 31. (not that big a difference - but still)

And he's quality. I'd love us to sign him because we really do need a second striker whose quality.

Quality player I would love to have him here.I feel he's a little out of our price range though.

Exactly what we need, but not for £36M.

There's only two Fernando Torres'

Seriously though, if we were to get Llorente, would we be playing 442, or would he be in behind our Nando?  Does Nando want a partner up top, or does he prefer a lone striker role?

This guy is 6'5" tall.

Look what happened to Crouch in the EPL when he played for us.. He could not win a Being Tall Comeptition if our Refs were in charge.

There's only two Fernando Torres'

Seriously though, if we were to get Llorente, would we be playing 442, or would he be in behind our Nando?  Does Nando want a partner up top, or does he prefer a lone striker role?

I think Woy would finally have an actual target man instead of using Torres as one and limiting the amount of times he runs in to space, so Llorente would drop back and look to be the presence while Torres would go back to being a proper goal scorer and using his pace rather than his stength.

Lets hope we can buy Llorente on a lower price and get a top class young player with the money saved.

Fantastic young player and fits in with Nesv's philosophy of buying young talent, £15 -£20m would be my limit as teh £15-£20m difference could be better spent elsewhere cough (Mata)

Liverpool Looks to Land Athletic Bilbao Striker Fernando Llorente

http://www.nesn.com/2010/11/liverpool-looks-to-land-athletic-bilbao-striker-fernando-llorente.html
by Matt Couto on Fri, Nov 5, 2010 at 9:49PM   

With newly acquired money from club owners New England Sports Ventures, Reds manager Roy Hodgson is looking to use some of it to land Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

With the constant rumors that current Reds’ forward Fernando Torres is looking for a new home come January, Liverpool has been hard at work trying to find his replacement.

This season, Llorente has been on the top of Spain’s charts, ahead of Torres and Barcelona’s David Villa.

Although both Manchester United and Manchester City have been looking acquiring Llorente, Hodgson is now equipped with the cash to land Spain’s prime striker.

Hodgson is now willing to meet Llorente’s €36 million buyout clause to bring him to the Red’s home in Merseyside in January.

Would soften the blow if we lost Torres, but I would be devastated if that was the case.
Two of them up top please... With Mata

Get our Spanish feel back at the club!

Good player but 36 mil would be alot of money!

Here we go with these buyout clauses again. They dont meen alot, they are just there to keep the players value up. It is used alot in the spanish league. David Villa had one at around 100 million, did he go for 100 million. I think a 20-25 million bid could get him. It is alot but if you want quality then NESV are going to have to pay these prices.

LFC told Spain star will cost them €63million
17th Nov 2010 - Transfer Gossip   

Liverpool will have to cough up a massive €63million if they are to land Spanish star Fernando Llorente.

 The Reds are thought to be eyeing the Athletic Bilbao star with a view to a move in the January transfer window.

Anfield's new director of football strategy, Damien Camolli, revealed earlier this week that the club's owners New England Sports Ventures would make money available for a world class signing in the transfer window.

But their chances of landing the 6ft 5in Spanish international now seem remote after the La Liga club revealed they have increased the his buy-out clause from €36m to an eye-watering €63m.

who do they think he is? Fernando Torres? thats bulls***

LFC told Spain star will cost them €63million
17th Nov 2010 - Transfer Gossip  

Liverpool will have to cough up a massive €63million if they are to land Spanish star Fernando Llorente.

 The Reds are thought to be eyeing the Athletic Bilbao star with a view to a move in the January transfer window.

Anfield's new director of football strategy, Damien Camolli, revealed earlier this week that the club's owners New England Sports Ventures would make money available for a world class signing in the transfer window.

But their chances of landing the 6ft 5in Spanish international now seem remote after the La Liga club revealed they have increased the his buy-out clause from €36m to an eye-watering €63m.

who do they think he is? Fernando Torres? thats bulls***

You can thank Man Citeh for that. Every club is going to value their top assets at some ridiculous level in the hope that the Mancs will cough up before anyone else.

Would rather buy Aguero for a few million more to be honest.

He's off to Madrid in the summer unfortunately.

Probably would cost an entire transfer budget but would be top of my list as a new striker.Good in the air and on the ground and young and hungry. The only problem would be keeping him away from Barca and Real

Source?

Already a thread on him too: http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=34315.0

Sorry Dexter, I saw it on some american website NESN.com and heard it whilst talking to someone who lives in Spain

good player but not for that much
for that sort of money you have got to be looking at proven world class goalscorers
 id pay 15m at most

^ Llorente is world class.  It's not easy to score tons of goals when you play for a team like Bilbao, but look at his strike rate for Spain:  6 goals in only 3 starts and 8 appearances from the bench!  All he needs is a decent supply line, and he will bang them in regularly.

That being said, I really doubt there is any legitimacy to this link.  He is a wonderful player, and we may well be interested in him, but we won't be splashing the cash on him.  Bilbao recently signed extended his contract and upped his buyout clause to the point that the only teams who will be able to afford him are City, Chelsea, and Madrid.

I wonder if the 2nd Fernando Torres would be worth a gamble if the Suarez deal drags on further?

I wonder if the 2nd Fernando Torres would be worth a gamble if the Suarez deal drags on further?

I'd rather him than Negredo.

he is not a link man, certainly wont be a wise buy. we need someone to play off torres

plus he is already madrid bound at the end of the season, will lead their line

He'll go to R.Madrid in the summer I feel. And though he is quality I don't think he's the foil for Torres

Agreed. Torres is a line leading striker. A support striker like Suarez is better suited to play with him.

Reds consider Llorente bid
23rd Jan 2011 - Transfer Gossip 
22 CommentsEmailPrintShare ArchiveLFC To Go
Liverpool are rumoured to be preparing an ambitious move for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente is they fail to land Ajax striker Luis Suarez


The Anfield side has previously been linked with the in form Spanish international and Damien Comolli is said to be a big admirer of the giant striker and whilst he would be a tough target to land the Merseyside club are nonetheless interested in the potentially explosive partnership he could form with Fernando Torres.

Indeed the presence of Torres and fellow Spaniard Pepe Reina at Liverpool may be helpful to any potential move to bring the Pamplona born striker to the Barclays Premier League club. 25 year old Llorente has long been linked with moves to Spain's big two or Barcelona and Real Madrid but as yet no deal has materialised and he has now arguably outgrown his club and looks likely to leave the Basque side sooner rather than later.

Now in his seventh season in the Bilbao first team Fernando Llorente is enjoying his most prolific season yet, having netted 11 goals in 17 starts yet his side is sitting in mid table and whilst the 6ft 5in front man is part of the Spanish international set up he may feel that any hopes of breaking the Torres-Villa monopoly on a more regular basis would only be realised by a move away from the San Mamés.

A move for Llorente would not come cheap and his club reportedly value him as being worth up to £35m but it is unlikely Liverpool would bid anything like that amount and are more likely to offer around the same sum as they have been told to pay for Luis Suarez.

Source: Caughtoffside.com

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Author: Caughtoffside.com
Tagged: transfer gossip

Don't see the point in being tight with money when it comes to Suarez then splashing the cash for Llorente instead, would rather have Luis if I'm honest, better suited to playing with Nando, cheaper, and he's just an all round beast.

fer Gossip / Llorente won't be joining Liverpool

Llorente won't be joining Liverpool
27th Jan 2011 - Transfer Gossip 
38 CommentsEmailPrintShare ArchiveLFC To Go
Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their race to sign a striker with news that Fernando Llorente will not be sold by Athletic Bilbao.


The Spanish international striker has emerged as one of the Reds' top targets, should a deal for Luis Suarez fall through, but the player's club have told Liverpool to forget it.

Kenny Dalglish has highlighted an attacking foil for Fernando Torres as the number one priority at Anfield in January, and Liverpool will have to move fast with regards to their other options if they are to secure the services of another player.

"We know the player wants to stay at the club for a long time. I will categorically say Llorente will not be sold and he will not leave in this summer," club president Fernando Garcia Macau told Spanish media.

"There has been no approach from any club for the striker and we are fed up by the rumour mill on this issue.

"While the Board of Directors and the President are here, Fernando Llorente will not be sold."

Source: Givemefootball.com

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Author: Givemefootball.com

On fifa 11 he cost me 19million and has been sh*te! That's enough for me right there...or maybe I am terrible on the ps3!?

Just saying on Spanish football on sky sports that Spurs have bid 26m for him today which Athletico rejected.

Just saying on Spanish football on sky sports that Spurs have bid 26m for him today which Athletico rejected.

That was in the daily mail right? Did the presenter say reports say?

Top top player, can bring people into play, great first touch, can score with either foot, very good in the air, can hold the ball up and has decent pace. He might join us, not in cl or uefa cup. Would be my first choice if we sold nando.

F***ing hell, Spurs bid for anybody with a pulse.

That was in the daily mail right? Did the presenter say reports say?

Top top player, can bring people into play, great first touch, can score with either foot, very good in the air, can hold the ball up and has decent pace. He might join us, not in cl or uefa cup. Would be my first choice if we sold nando.

Noi it came from Balligue, looks like Spurs wanted to nick him from Real Madrid where is apparently destined for in the summer.

Get him in, give him number 9.

That way all the usernames on the forum won't need changing, or everybody's shirts if our current Torres leaves.

It is not as simple as that people, Llorente and agueros clubs have no intention of selling their guys, therefore, the bid to force their minimum fee would be hostile from our part which makes the price more expensive for us, above their minimum fee clause

He missed a pen tonight didn't he? Obviously dreaming of a move to Liverpool

I've watched alot of Llorente. There's a reason why he plays only a bit-part role in the Spain National Team. He is a lanky, cumbersome, awkward player who lacks the skill to be a permanent fixture in the Spanish National Team - any 6'4" player can win headers and score in the six yard box but ball-at-feet? Forget it.
He's only brought on when Spain is leading 4-0 and comfortable, or when they are 0-0 and need to lump the ball forward to him for flick ons. He lacks the skill and guile to be a liverpool player. We already have a lanky, battering ram type player - CARROLL - we don't need another one.

According to him there was a last minute bid for him by Liverpool which he turned down as he wants to stay with Bilbao. Was he first choice then

According to him there was a last minute bid for him by Liverpool which he turned down as he wants to stay with Bilbao. Was he first choice then

We just didn't want all the 'Torres' shirts to go to waste

According to him there was a last minute bid for him by Liverpool which he turned down as he wants to stay with Bilbao. Was he first choice then

Probably, but then again I wonder if we just bid for a lot of people on our list at the last minute to see who would be interested.

According to him there was a last minute bid for him by Liverpool which he turned down as he wants to stay with Bilbao. Was he first choice then

Not necessarily. Could've made an offer for him after NU turned one of Carroll's bids down, who knows. I'm sure they tried to get the best value for their money.

Really not a fan of this lad. Glad we ended up with Carroll instead.

Really not a fan of this lad. Glad we ended up with Carroll instead.

Same. Younger. English. Proven in our league.

I like him but we'r never going to sign him after Carroll.

I think Llorente is better, but Carroll has the potential to be better.

I wouldn't say Carroll is proven he is a gamble. People rubbishing Llorente as well make me laugh. He has been very good the last couple of seasons that is why he is in the Spanish squad and is being linked to Barc and Real for £40 million,

According to him there was a last minute bid for him by Liverpool which he turned down as he wants to stay with Bilbao. Was he first choice then

No, according to him, we wanted to buy him but his club turned us down so he stays. One more thing, his contract clause values him at €36 million.

Don't get me wrong I'm excited about Andy Carroll playing for us but I would have loved to have signed this lad as he is quality and would have been excellent with Suarez.

I think Llorente is better, but Carroll has the potential to be better.

Agree. Carroll has the potential to be just as good and that is what we have bought with him.

would take carrol allday ova llorente he's proved this season he can score in the premiership what more has he got to do he's scored 11 league goals this season so far, i cant wait till he plays

I could be wrong, but I get the impression Llorente is a bit flash in the pan.

Plus he's got a sh*t first name.

I could be wrong, but I get the impression Llorente is a bit flash in the pan.

Plus he's got a sh*t first name.

And his second name is really Torres :\

We really dont need another forward, especially a player that is much too similar to carroll.

Can't believe we spunked £35m on Carroll when Llorente was available for £5m less, would love to see Llorente at the club.

We don't need another Carroll we need another second striker like Suarez.

Also think we don't need him anymore. What we should look for now at striker positions is a back-up who can play up front on his own and behind the main striker, so he can play in place of Carrol or Suarez if needed. If Kuyt had a little more football brain with his work rate and versatility he would be ideal..

Can't believe we spunked £35m on Carroll when Llorente was available for £5m less, would love to see Llorente at the club.

We had no choice to be fair though in the Carroll situation. We needed an English player to make up the 8 for the Europa League squad and we needed a striker to replace Torres and with it being the transfer deadline Newcastle realised that they could get a hell of an amount of money out of us and that is what happened.

Also think we don't need him anymore. What we should look for now at striker positions is a back-up who can play up front on his own and behind the main striker, so he can play in place of Carrol or Suarez if needed. If Kuyt had a little more football brain with his work rate and versatility he would be ideal..

What are you talking about?  Kuyt has a brilliant football brain, in fact that combined with his work-rate and versatility is the reason he's been so successful as a footballer despite having horrendous movement with the ball and really hit and miss passing.

We had no choice to be fair though in the Carroll situation. We needed an English player to make up the 8 for the Europa League squad and we needed a striker to replace Torres and with it being the transfer deadline Newcastle realised that they could get a hell of an amount of money out of us and that is what happened.

No we didn't.  Our squad is currently 21 players (with 8 HG) and considering we did 2 straight swaps (Babel + Torres OUT, Suarez + Carroll IN), we've still got 21 players but now with 9 HG players.  I'm just disappointed that Torres left so late in the window which kinda forced us to panic buy.

Spurs have lorra lorra love for Llorente

Published 23:01 30/06/11
By Martin Lipton

Tottenham will make a fresh £20million bid for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente - provided Harry Redknapp can sell at least two of their current set of forwards first.

Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy want £6million for Robbie Keane, and are open to offers for Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.

Levy has told Redknapp he will have to offload players before his transfer budget can be determined.

The White Hart Lane chief is out to bag £11m for Wilson Palacios and recoup as much as he can for David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas, Vedrun Corluka, Alan Hutton and Sebatian Bassong.

Redknapp and Levy remain determined to hold on to Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, but the hunt is on for a 20-goal line-leading striker.

Spain star Llorente, 26, who has scored seven in 13 appearances for the world and European champions, has been identified as the prime target.

Tottenham failed in a bid to land him in January but intend to make a new concerted attempt once the current squad has been cut.

Spurs want around £14m for Russia international Pavlyuchenko, while they would listen to offers of £12m plus for either of England strikers Defoe and Crouch.

Redknapp's budget likely to be around £10m less than the total raised by player sales.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Tottenham-want-Spain-striker-Fernando-Llorente-but-must-sell-two-of-Robbie-Keane-Roman-Pavlyuchenko-Peter-Crouch-Jermain-Defoe-to-raise-funds-article754249.html

Spurs have lorra lorra love for Llorente

Published 23:01 30/06/11
By Martin Lipton

Tottenham will make a fresh £20million bid for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente - provided Harry Redknapp can sell at least two of their current set of forwards first.

Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy want £6million for Robbie Keane, and are open to offers for Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.

Levy has told Redknapp he will have to offload players before his transfer budget can be determined.

The White Hart Lane chief is out to bag £11m for Wilson Palacios and recoup as much as he can for David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas, Vedrun Corluka, Alan Hutton and Sebatian Bassong.

Redknapp and Levy remain determined to hold on to Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, but the hunt is on for a 20-goal line-leading striker.

Spain star Llorente, 26, who has scored seven in 13 appearances for the world and European champions, has been identified as the prime target.

Tottenham failed in a bid to land him in January but intend to make a new concerted attempt once the current squad has been cut.

Spurs want around £14m for Russia international Pavlyuchenko, while they would listen to offers of £12m plus for either of England strikers Defoe and Crouch.

Redknapp's budget likely to be around £10m less than the total raised by player sales.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Tottenham-want-Spain-striker-Fernando-Llorente-but-must-sell-two-of-Robbie-Keane-Roman-Pavlyuchenko-Peter-Crouch-Jermain-Defoe-to-raise-funds-article754249.html

£12m for Crouch? £14m for Pavlyuchenko? If they get that much for the pair then i will eat my own arse cheeks cause they are well over priced. Find it confusing that last season Bilbao wanted £35m for Llorente, so Spurs decide to offer £20m, hmmm. Yet again going after one of our previous targets.

. Yet again going after one of our previous targets.

Being fair, it's harder to find a player we haven't been linked too in the past.

12 million for Crouch will never happen and 14 million for Pavlyuchenko will never happen either. If it does I'll eat my hat.

Also it'll cost a lot more for Llorente. The trasfer market is very inflated this summer and it'll cost a lot of money for these top quality players, especially strikers.

£12m for Crouch? £14m for Pavlyuchenko? If they get that much for the pair then i will eat my own arse cheeks cause they are well over priced. Find it confusing that last season Bilbao wanted £35m for Llorente, so Spurs decide to offer £20m, hmmm. Yet again going after one of our previous targets.

It's annoying that Spurs, City, & Arsenal track most of our targets. Seems we're all on the same wavelength for quality of players.

Or there's a mole within the club and they are leaking the players we are interested in.

It's one big conspiracy.

On the other hand, Fernando Llorente is a player that I'm familiar with by name and reputation. But as far as consistancy and how good he is I have no idea.

If Carroll works out he'll be the better player.

Great striker, but if Carroll finds his form and keeps injury free Carroll will be miles ahead

On the other hand, Fernando Llorente is a player that I'm familiar with by name and reputation. But as far as consistancy and how good he is I have no idea.

He is very good, and in my opinion, very consistent.  He is very good with his feet (not just for a big man) but is also very good in the air.  He is a fantastic target CF who can hold the ball up, create space and opportunities for his teammates, and will bang in plenty of goals so long as he is getting decent service. 

The only question for him is can he do it on a cold December night at the Britannia?  !  No, in all honesty I do wonder if he will be as effective playing against the more physical defenders he will face in the Prem, but I do think he will be a success in England.

Yeah he's a damn good player, hope he doesnt go anywhere, studying in Bilbao this fall and am looking forward to watching him, muniain, martinez and herrera

14 mil for Pav? is that serious?

Surprised people think Carroll is better then Llorente, I've think Llorente is a better player currently. He's better at holding up the ball, faster, better finisher and he's just as good in the air too. Also he hasn't got the off field problems Carroll has either.

Also he hasn't got the off field problems Carroll has either.

'Has' or 'had', that is the question.

Its nothing got to do with us,why post a article saying spurs are interested in him,who gives a sh*t what they do.

Surprised people think Carroll is better then Llorente, I've think Llorente is a better player currently. He's better at holding up the ball, faster, better finisher and he's just as good in the air too. Also he hasn't got the off field problems Carroll has either.

I agree with most of this, but I think Carrol is better in the air than Fernando.  Also, Llorente is 26 while Carrol is still only 22, and Llorente didn't really start to shine in Spain until he was about 23/24 years old.  I'd say that Llorente is marginally better than Carrol at the moment, but I do believe that Carrol has the potential to be better.  Its up to Andy what he does with that potential....

Can't believe we spunked £35m on Carroll when Llorente was available for £5m less, would love to see Llorente at the club.

Athletic wouldn't have sold him on the final day.

This lad would cost a bomb, Bilbao aren't going to sell one of their star basque players unless they get an offer too good to refuse whiah IMO would be upwards of £30 million.

Athletic wouldn't have sold him on the final day.

We have made a bid for him days before, but the player has expressed his desire to stay at Athletic, at the time ...

http://www.marca.com/2011/02/04/futbol/equipos/athletic/1296777665.html

The player has said this himself, in a radio interview on February 4th ...

Have we been freshly linked with him? Because if we haven't there is no point in any more discussion.

Have we been freshly linked with him? Because if we haven't there is no point in any more discussion.

Agreed.

Locked.