Spanish striker linked

Arsenal are being linked with a move for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente as they plan ahead for Robin van Persie's departure.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is braced for his skipper to leave the club before the close of the transfer deadline on August 31, and is determined to leave no stone unturned in his bid to quickly find a quality replacement.
A whole hosts of names from across Europe have been suggested as possible targets for the Frenchman, as he attempts to replace a forward who scored 37 times last season in all competition.
Llorente, a 27-year-old Spanish international, certainly has good pedigree, having bagged an impressive 28 goals for Bilbao himself and is widely thought to be near the top of Wenger's wanted list.
Llorente has a £28million buy-out clause which means the Gunners would have to spend almost every penny they are hoping to pick up should Van Persie depart the Emirates Stadium.