Llorente looks for Athletic exit

Spain striker Fernando Llorente does not want to renew his contract with Athletic Club, according to president Josu Urrutia.

The 27-year-old's desire to leave La Liga could spark one of the biggest transfer scrambles in recent summers, with a host of major European clubs chasing his signature. Llorente, whose current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, has reached double figures for the last five seasons in Spain and the Basque club had made no secret of their desire to keep hold of the Pamplona-born targetman, whose nickname is 'El Rey Leon'. Last year's Europa League and Copa del Rey finalists warned suitors would have to first trigger a buy-out clause in Llorente's contract to facilitate his release. "Llorente has told us that he does not want to renew his contract with the club," Urrutia told reporters. "In case Llorente leaves the club, we will not sign another attacker. I can tell all clubs that want to sign one of our players that we are not a selling club. They will have to pay a player's buy-out clause."