Arsenal and Tottenham ready for La Liga transfer battle?

By Staff Writer
Updated: 16 August, 2012

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will enter the battle to sign Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente according to the MailOnline.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger saw star man Robin van Persie leave the Emirates Stadium yesterday as the Arsenal striker joined Manchester United, while Spurs are set to lose midfielder Luka Modric to Real Madrid.

The sale of the players will free up funds for Arsenal and Tottenham to re-invest and the reports claim the English rivals could rekindle their interest in the 27-year-old Spanish international.

Llorente told Athletic officials he would not be penning a new deal at the Basque club last week and has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A champions Juventus.

Juventus hope to sign the Pamplona-born star for around £16 million, however, Athletic President Josu Urrutia is demanding the player’s release clause of £28.2 million is met.

Atheltic hope the North London rivals will now join the race with the MailOnline quoting Spanish sports daily Marca as believing Arsenal will launch a bid for the player.

Tottenham have also been long-linked with the highly-rated striker and it is suggested the White Hart Lane club are desperate to sign Llorente.

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