Tottenham boss Maurico Pochetinno may have thrown Fernando Llorente’s future into the West Ham melting pot whilst sending out mixed messages on the striker’s future.
Spurs – despite allowing the striker to walk away at the end of his deal this summer – are believed to have offered the striker a new contract on reduced terms.
Pochettino has told The Mirror however that he isn’t the person to ask about a potential deal for the 34 year old.
The Hammers, meanwhile could yet be interested in free signings and Llorente fits the bill although his £90k a week wages given his age would be an issue.
Pochettino apparently has no idea whether the player wants a Spurs return and made it clear he isn’t the person to ask about the matter, presumably suggesting it is in chairman Daniel Levy’s hands.
He said: “I don’t know. I am not the person you need to ask.”
And that could be enough to tempt the Hammers should Pellegrini decide on a late move to beef up his front line.
ClaretandHugh says: Llorente has long been mentioned as a Hammers possibility of course but at 34 years old and with a two year deal probably the least he would want, a big question is immediately asked. Pochettino, in not ruling out his own interest, looks likely to stoke up interest elsewhere and at this stage of things a Hammers move for the front man may be about the best we can do. He has done a job for Tottenham when Kane has not been available but he has not been prolific at either Swansea or north London. If he were available however, he could be a reasonable shout, given our need for someone with Premier League experience as up front back-up. However, it seems more likely that he may go back to Spurs anyway should any terms we offer be no better than those he may receive from them in the meantime.
If it were to happen at the figures you suggest, it would be a bit of a financial hindrance looking ahead to a future permanent signing of a striker.
Hugh, what is the situation regarding Xande Silva? I thought he had undergone a hernia op, but I understand he has a non football related serious illness. Do you have any info?
This guy isn’t a bad shout, although a bit over expensive. Making Tottenham have to go out and spend money would tickle me. I guess Cheeko would then be free to move on and free some wages up. I Dont think we would get much in the way of transfer fees for him, considering hes in the last 12 months of his contract.
I still say we should sell Hernandez and go for Moralos.OK I agree that he can be a problem but when he’s on the pitch he is more likely to score than Hernandez.
Would Moralos be willing to come and sit on the bench though?
He strikes me as an all or nothing player.
Yeah, when he’s still on the pitch.
I’d be happy with Llorente as back up. I read Spurs offered him 60k p/w so matching Haller at 70k would be acceptable given then wages we have saved. I don’t think he’d be after more than a year at this stage in his career and he might fancy his chances of playing more with us that at Spurs. If we can get him on a one year deal for Carroll money, I think that’s worth the money to hold us over until next summer.
Seeing as Llorente has never relied on pace and still has high technical ability, the money sounds fine on a 12 month contract. We need someone that can be trusted if Haller gets injured to lead the line.