Speaking to Spanish radio station Onda Cero, hopeful Derby County owner Erik Alonso revealed that he would like to sign fellow countryman Fernando Llorente for the Rams.
As it stands, Colin Kazim-Richards is the only senior striker set to remain at the club next season with Martyn Waghorn’s contract nearing expiry and Lee Gregory’s loan spell coming to an end.
Jack Marriot, currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, also sees his contract expire in the summer and it’s unlikely that it shall be renewed.
So heading into the next campaign, the Rams have just Kazim-Richards and youngster Jack Stretton as viable options up top.
It is no surprise to see that Alonso wants to strengthen the forward department at the club, although Llorente certainly seems an unlikely candidate.
The 36-year-old only signed for Udinese in January, agreeing a one-and-a-half year deal with the Serie A outfit. He has scored once in 11 appearances for I Bianconeri so far.
Llorente has effectively only ever played top flight football, bar his first season as a professional, switching between Spain, England and Italy throughout his career.
In total the Spaniard has made over 600 career appearances, scoring over 180 goals and recording over 60 assists in the making for Basconia, Athletic Bilbao, Juventus, Sevilla, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, Napoli and current side Udinese.
Aside from club football, Llorente has been capped 24 times by the Spanish national team and played a part in their World Cup and Euro triumphs in 2010 and 2012.
Would Llorente to Derby make any sense whatsoever? It’s not likely we will ever find out, but Alonso has spoken.
Once again we will have to wait and see with this one.