Manchester United Transfers: Bilbao Want £17 Million for United Target Llorente

With Arsenal seemingly pricing Manchester United out of a move for Dutch striker Robin van Persie, is it time for Sir Alex to consider Spanish striker Fernando Llorente?

Italian newspaper Tuttosport reports Athletic Bilbao are asking for £17 million for the forward, who only has a year to run on his contract (via Manchester United's official website).

Rather than risking the player leaving for free next summer, the La Liga club are prepared to sell one of their biggest assets to the highest bidder.

Tuttosport claimed on Saturday that Serie A club Juventus had tabled a bid in the region of £12.5 million, which had been turned down by Bilbao.

United have been linked with Llorente before, and are known admirers of the player, having seen him in action first-hand last season.

Bilbao were the club who knocked the Red Devils out of the Europa League, with Llorente starring in both legs.

Whether or not United are in need of a new striker is another question, with Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez already on the books and fighting for position in the team.

Despite interest from Old Trafford, Spanish newspaper El Correo claims that Juventus are favourites to land the highly rated Spanish international (h/t Manutd.com).

But if Sir Alex were to enter negotiations at this early stage, he would be in with a good chance of getting his man.

With the start of the Premier League season only a week away, it remains to be seen if Manchester United will bring in any new signings before the transfer window closes.