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Fernando Llorente Close To Extending Athletic Bilbao Contract - Reports

The striker is set to become the best paid player at Athletic Bilbao...

23-Jun-2009 9:11:46 PM

Llorente, Athletic-Racing (MARCA)

Fernando Llorente is reportedly close to signing a new deal with Athletic Bilbao that will see him stay at the club until 2013.

The highly-rated striker was in good form for the Basque side last season and his goalscoring feats earned him interest from around Europe.

However, AS reports that his intention has always been to stay with Athletic beyond his current deal which runs out in 2011, and that now looks to be close to happening.

The one stumbling block to any deal could be Llorente's agent situation though, as he has just recently let go of his old representative and hired his brother Chus to represent him.

It is thought that before the Confederations Cup the striker was on the verge of signing a deal but then the conversations stopped after he dispensed with the services of Txus Medina.

Even though Medina was reluctant to comment about the situation, he did admit that he was surprised by Llorente's decision.

"I prefer, for the time being, not to talk about the matter and to only see what the players says, who I was working with for many years. I have been very surprised by the turn of events," he said.

Despite losing Medina though it is thought that a deal is nearly done, and it is one which would make Llorente the highest paid player at the club.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com

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