Spurs opinion: Tottenham should offer Fernando Llorente a new deal ahead of the new season

As the season is close to its end, Tottenham have something to play for. Spurs were in the race for the league title a while ago, but those hopes were dashed after some poor performances.

We are in a great position to finish in third thanks to losses for Manchester United and Arsenal recently, however, all eyes are on midweek with our Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax.

The Dutch giants should not be taken lightly as they dumped Real Madrid and Juventus out.

Spurs have had their epic encounter in the Champions League too with their win over Manchester City in the previous round.

The player who scored the important goal in that tie was Fernando Llorente. The Spaniard headed in our third goal in the tie as we qualified on the away goals rule.

The 34-year-old is out of a contract at the end of the season, but is open to staying at Spurs (h/t Evening Standard):

“If I renew for a year, I am delighted, the project is exciting here at Tottenham, but we will be attentive to any call that may come,”

The Standard adds that there is interest from Llorente’s former club, Athletic Bilbao, however, Daniel Levy should do all he can to keep the Spaniard for another year, at least.

Not prolific in front of goal but gives us something different

Llorente has made 24 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League this season. The Spaniard has played more this time around due to Harry Kane’s injury and has found the back of the net eight times.

Fernando Llorente scores against Chelsea

The 34-year-old also has five assists to his name, which is not a bad return for a player that isn’t the most mobile in the final third.

Llorente isn’t always in great form but he provides us with a physical presence that the others can play off. The Spaniard can mix things up in the final minutes of the game, in case we search for a goal.

Additionally, we need someone to provide cover for Kane. The English striker has a history of ankle injuries at the club, and with Vincent Janssen barely in the plans of Mauricio Pochettino, keeping Llorente for another year makes sense.

Spurs still need to find another striker who can do a similar job to Kane’s but until then, it will be difficult to find someone like Llorente on the cheap.

The Spaniard knows he won’t start many games and is only a squad player, however, he is willing to give it his all (h/t Evening Standard):

“The important thing is to help whenever I’m called upon, and keep working hard.”

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Llorente has done a lot for us this season, and it will be incredible if we can cap off the campaign with a Champions League final.