Tottenham are in the hunt to sign Real Sociedad centre-back Diego Llorente, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish news outlet claims that West Ham, Liverpool and Fulham are also interested in signing the 25-year-old, who has a release clause in his deal worth a staggering £42.8million.
It is understood that Real Madrid are the only team who can sign Llorente for any less than his release clause due to an agreement when Sociedad signed the Spain international from the Bernabeu in 2017.
Good move for Tottenham?
Mauricio Pochettino is bound to need a new centre-back in the summer with Toby Alderweireld widely expected to move on.
The Belgium international enters the final year of his contract when this season ends and there is reportedly a release clause that could see him leave Spurs for £25million – a fraction of his actual value.
Llorente might be a good replacement for Alderweireld, but he is definitely not an upgrade on the ex-Ajax defender.
However in his own right, Llorente in a decent centre-back and is the type of player who might flourish under Pochettino’s management.
He would surely do better than Fernando Llorente anyway.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Daniel Levy has no choice but to spend money this summer, but the likelihood of him splashing £42.8million on Diego Llorente is surely low.
The 25-year-old has had three different injury issues this season which have led to time on the sidelines and if there’s one thing that Tottenham does not need, it’s more players who are prone to injuries.
Levy is unlikely to fund a big-money move for a player whose fitness is so unreliable.
This is Futbol rating 2/10