Athletic Bilbao are interested in Fernando Llorente if they can meet ex-Tottenham star’s salary

Former Tottenham hero Fernando Llorente could finally return to his beloved Athletic Bilbao if the Liga club can strike a deal with Napoli to circumvent their wage structure by bringing the veteran striker in on loan next season.

Llorente, who scored the late winner that gave Spurs an epic away goals win over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals last season, has been largely kept in reserve by Napoli since moving to Serie A at the end of the campaign.

He could reverse the move he made earlier in his career, when he left Athletic for Juventus after scoring 118 goals in 333 games between 2004 and 2013, by rejoining his hometown team next season on loan from Italy.

Former Spain striker Fernando Llorente could be on his way back to first club Athletic Bilbao

Former Spain striker Fernando Llorente could be on his way back to first club Athletic Bilbao

Former Spain striker Fernando Llorente could be on his way back to first club Athletic Bilbao

One more goal would make Llorente the Liga club's outright fifth-highest goalscorer of all time

One more goal would make Llorente the Liga club's outright fifth-highest goalscorer of all time

One more goal would make Llorente the Liga club’s outright fifth-highest goalscorer of all time

The 35-year-old has frequently spoken of his fondness for the Basque club, who are seeking striking options following the retirement of Aritz Aduriz, the scorer of 173 goals across three spells at San Memes. 

Llorente’s reported £2.2 million salary is beyond his Liga admirers’ pay structure, according to Marca, but coach Gaizka Garitano is hopeful of striking a loan agreement with Napoli that would see the forward’s parent club contribute to his pay in return for reducing their own wage bill.

Llorente is said to have considered a return to Spain following his release by Spurs last summer before signing a two-year deal in Naples.

The 35-year-old has made 17 appearances for Serie A Napoli this season and netted three goals

The 35-year-old has made 17 appearances for Serie A Napoli this season and netted three goals

The 35-year-old has made 17 appearances for Serie A Napoli this season and netted three goals

Llorente played a key part in Tottenham's dramatic run to the 2018/19 Champions League final

Llorente played a key part in Tottenham's dramatic run to the 2018/19 Champions League final

Llorente played a key part in Tottenham’s dramatic run to the 2018/19 Champions League final

He made his debut for Athletic as a 19-year-old in 2005, announcing his abilities by scoring a hat-trick in a Copa del Rey match against Lanzarote just three days later.

An argument with current Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was said to have contributed to his refusal to sign a new contract and subsequent agreement with Juventus during the 2012/13 season, when he scored five goals in 36 appearances as a back-up for Aduriz.

Speaking to the Spanish outlet before he signed an extension with Spurs in 2018, the forward admitted: ‘Athletic Club are my home and if they make an offer, a return could happen.

The veteran was part of the last-gasp win at Ajax that took Spurs to the final against Liverpool

The veteran was part of the last-gasp win at Ajax that took Spurs to the final against Liverpool

The veteran was part of the last-gasp win at Ajax that took Spurs to the final against Liverpool

‘I enjoyed many wonderful moments at the club that I will never forget and Athletic will always hold a special place in my heart.

‘If they do make me a proposal to come back then I would have to think about it and yes, maybe it could happen.’

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