Fernando Llorente confirms his exit plans

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – MAY 08: Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao gestures during the Athletic Bilbao training session ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao at the National Arena on May 8, 2012 in Bucharest, Romania.

Spanish striker Fernando Llorente has made public his desire to leave Athletic Bilbao this coming summer at the end of his current deal.

‘I am going to leave on June 30. I want to develop as a player and try something new,’ said Llorente.

‘It isn’t about money because the offer the club made was irresistible.’

The Basque-born frontman was expected to join Juventus this summer but the deal fell through at the last moment. Since then, he has had a rough time at Bilbao and following a 0–2 derby loss at Real Sociedad on 29 September, in which he was a late substitute, he got into an argument with manager Marcelo Biela. Two days later, he walked out of training early after being sent to practice with the youth squad.

The news will come as a welcome surprise to various clubs across Europe with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus on the look out to bolster their striking options at the club. Also worth noting is the fact that he will be available for free in the summer.

Source: Metro