Arsenal are being heavily linked with Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, whose recent comments suggest that he could be open to a move to the Premier League.
Llorente only has one more year left on his current contract with Bilbao and has a buy-out clause of £28million, which I would argue is a pretty good price for a player of that quality when you consider the inflated prices in the transfer market. The Spanish club may even consider negotiating further as they will not want to run the risk of losing the 27-year-old on a free transfer next summer.
When Llorente was asked if he was thinking of moving to the Emirates, he replied:
“I might end up playing in England, who knows. At the moment I’m at Athletic Bilbao, but who knows later.
“Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres have told me about the immense respect that the fans have for their players there.”
If Arsenal were to spend £25 million on Fernando Llorente, I am almost 100% certain that that would signify the end of Robin van Persie’s career in North London. The only reason that Arsène Wenger would spend that sort of money would be if our captain were to decide to leave. It is possible that Robin has already told Arsenal of his desire to leave before he went to the Euros; we have no idea because Arsenal have banned him from talking to the media and the club are refusing to release any information.
Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Juventus have also been linked with the Spanish international, but Arsenal are apparently in pole position because Llorente wants to work with Arsène Wenger. Whether or not that actually has an truth to it remains to be seen.
I’m fed up with these long stressful periods between seasons. At least we have the Euros to distract us. Podolski is a start, but we need so many more signings. Then there is the RVP nonsense (either you stay or you don’t, just let us know).
We can all take an interest in these rumours, which usually are generated by an answer a player gives, not directly concerned with any club. However, the point about about it being the exit signal for RVP I’m not so sure. Clearly Arsenal will have a player such as LLorente in mind should Robin have made a decision to leave, but I don’t think the two should necessarily be put together. And that, even supposing they had made any approach for Llorente. The are after all looking to strengthen the squad. Llorente is a more natural No 9. and very different to RVP or Podolski, but could play with either or both, making a very dangerous front three? The supposition that money is an indication of intent may also be wide of the mark, as we are constantly being told(rumours again) that one of the things that will sway Robin is the purchase of quality players to boost our challenge for titles and cups … quality players can cost this sort of money, even if it is not in our recent history to do so?
I can’t believe unthl i see Loriente on Arsenal shirt.
go 4 llorent weda rvp stays or not,cos we need more options,nt dependin on 1 striker,who knws weda rvp migt got injured next season.arsenal as been patient wit him,when he often got injured,but nw he tinks it s time to move 2 oda clubs. But he should remenber,no club will be more patient lyk arsenal.
Arsenal AND Van Persie already know full well whether the player will be at the Emirates next term.
No last minute signings like last Summer. Any new blood must be in an Arsenal shirt by the start of the pre-season. Rumours will abound but Arsene and his backroom staff know who they want and get on with the job quietly and without outside pressure.