Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has insisted that Arsenal target Fernando Llorent will not be leaving the Spanish club in January, reports London24.
The powerful striker is in the final year of his contract with the La Liga outfit and has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, while Liverpool, Tottenham and Juventus are also thought to be monitoring the situation.
The 27-year-old Spain international is free to talk to foreign clubs in January and has previously admitted he would love to play in the Premier League.
It was widely thought the Basque club would cash-in on Llorente in January, rather than lose him for nothing next summer but Urrutia has insisted the striker will not be sold next month.
“This player makes our team more competitive and his future will be decided by the club,” said Urrutia.
“At the moment we need to maintain the quality level within our squad, not reduce it. Llorente will stay with us until the end of the season.”
His comments come as surprise, particularly considering that the Euro 2012 winner has started just one game for Bilbao this season and has faced boos from sections of the San Mames crowd.
The news is the second major blow to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger in as many days, after another striking target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar committed his future to current club Schalke on Wednesday.
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