Llorente affirms Bilbao commitment

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has reiterated his desire to stay at San Mames amid rumours of interest from Premier League clubs.

The Spain international was ready to leave the club in September and has since been linked with a move to Arsenal during the next transfer window.

However, the 27-year-old is adamant that his only concern is doing well for the Spanish side.

“My only future is to continue with Athletic and give everything here,” he told reporters.

“I’m not thinking about the future and I don’t care. I focus only on playing and helping the team.”

Llorente then commented on his lack of first-team action this season compared to last term, having found himself down the pecking order with team-mate Aduriz selected ahead of him.

However, Llorente insists he is ready to become a starter and get into the scoring habit again.

He added: “The fact that I haven’t played regularly this season could translate to a lack of confidence in scoring goals.

“Some might call it bad luck, or maybe the confidence would see one of the goals go in, I don’t know.

“Hopefully I can get a few goals by the end of the season, the more the merrier, and get the team as high as they can in the table.”

Athletic currently sit 14th in La Liga and face table-toppers Barcelona in their next league encounter.