Wenger Makes €36m Spanish Striker his Top Transfer Target – Report
Arsene Wenger may have signed two strikers in the summer but it seems he is keen to add yet more firepower to his squad as he considers a January bid for Fernando Llorente.
The Athletic Bilbao striker has consistently been linked with a move away from Spain, but has thus far remained at the Basque club, despite reports suggesting he was close to leaving in the summer.
Llorente turned down a new contract offer in the summer and has now entered the final 12 months of his current deal.
He has fallen out of favour with manager Marco Bielsa and is yet to start a single game for Bilbao this season, despite being the top scorer last season with 29 goals in all competitions.
The Spain international currently has a release clause of €35million, however it is unlikely that Bilbao will be able to demand this amount because he is in the final year of his contract and could leave on a free in the summer.
Spanish newspaper Marca believes that Arsenal are the club showing the most interest, with Wenger deciding that he needs further options in attack.
Wenger did manage to sign Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud in the summer as he looked to find a replacement for Robin van Persie. Yet, it seems he is unhappy with his current options and will now look to secure the services of Llorente.
Marca suggests that Bilbao would prefer to keep the striker, but they know that Arsenal have money to spend and are expecting an offer to arrive in January.
The Spanish publication also suggests that Wenger wants a striker who is capable of deciding games as he looks to deliver a first piece of silverware since the 2005 FA Cup triumph.
Arsenal are certainly not the only club interested in Llorente, with Marca reporting that Manchester City and Tottenham are also closely following the striker and considering an offer during the January transfer window.
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