Man Utd Transfer News: Fernando Llorente To Join United On A Free

According to the Metro, Manchester United are eyeing up a free transfer move for prolific Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente. Sir Alex Ferguson has been keen to sign the 27-year-old after impressing against United in the Europa League competition last season. Despite been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, the Red Devils are not prepared to pay the £35 million asking price but are now ready to sign the striker in a years time when his contract runs out. An agreement to sign Llorente could happen as early as January if he were to sign a pre-contract agreement with the Old Trafford club to join next summer. Whilst reports today suggest in 12 months time Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski will sign for United, if Sir Alex can find an alternative in Llorente he may change his decision on perusing a deal for Lewandowski. The Spanish international would require more than £140,000-a-week salary if he was to join the Red Devils in the summer of 2013, something which the club wouldn€™t be prepared to deal with unless they sell either Berbatov or contract rebel Nani. United will no doubt face strong competition for the signing of Llorente, especially if Arsenal don€™t replace Van Persie or Tottenham don€™t add a striker within the next year.