Reds and Spurs track Llorente

Harry Redknapp has acted quickly to head off a renewed challenge from Liverpool for Spain's Fernando Llorente by making an astonishing £26million bid for the Athletic Bilbao striker.

The Tottenham Hotspur manager, also linked with Newcastle's Andy Carroll, is understood to have made Llorente his top target in a deal which could go through before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Bilbao president Fernando Garcia Macua has continually rebuffed efforts to prise Llorente away.

Macua is up for re-election this summer and knows that it would damage his chances of a further term if supporters' favourite Llorente left.

But Spurs are aware of an escape clause in the forward's contract and have made an opening bid in the hope of testing the water.

The 25-year-old has 12 goals in 20 La Liga games this season and netted three times in two games for Spain in October's Euro 2012 qualifying games.

Source: Daily Mail

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