West Ham have discussed a last-gasp swoop for Tottenham target man Fernando Llorente before the transfer window closes, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claimed on their website that the Spanish forward is available from West Ham’s Premier League rivals either on loan or as a permanent deal after failing to impress Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Llorente is unlikely to be a first-choice striker for Spurs with Harry Kane currently in the squad and would cost the Hammers a seven-figure fee in the region £7million if they were to sign the 33-year-old permanently.
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has been building a balanced squad since his arrival to the London Stadium but still requires a target man.
OPINION
Llorente was in great form whilst at Swansea City, netting 15 goals in 33 games to guide the Swans from relegation before his move to North London. With Harry Kane in the form of his life, it will be extremely difficult for Llorente to get a glimpse of an opportunity to star in the striker’s role and, at the age of 33, should think about making a move elsewhere in order to gain regular game time rather than wasting his time sat on the substitute’s bench. The Spaniard made just 16 league appearances last season, with 15 of those coming from the bench. With Andy Carroll out injured and Jordan Hugill joining Middlesbrough on a season-long loan, Pellegrini is in need of a target man who can cause a nuisance to the opposition’s back four and Llorente has the capability of doing that. With the money that the Hammers have splashed out this summer, either a loan deal or a six-figure sum transfer should not be ignored and could play a vital role for the side if he repeats the performances he produced whilst in South Wales.
