City step up interest in Fernando Llorente

Manchester City are stepping up their efforts to sign Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, according to AS.

It is no secret that the Citizens are looking for a new centre forward after both Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli failed to live up to their potential.

The Premier League champions have been linked with a number of players over the last few months, AS claims they have made Athletic Bilbao star Fernando Llorente their number one target.

According to the Spanish newspaper, City officials have met the player’s brother and agent Chus on Friday 27th April at a winery in La Rioja.

The meeting took place just a day after Llorente scored the winning goal in Europa League semi-final clash against Sporting Lisbon.

Manchester City officials enquired about the possibility of signing the highly rated forward, but there is still a lot of work to be done if they are to wrap up the deal.

Athletic Bilbao are reluctant to part ways from their most prized asset, whereas the player himself believes his future lies at San Mames.