Athletic Bilbao will fight to retain Manchester City 'target' Fernando Llorente

Any
clubs interested in Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente have been issued
a stern warning by club president Josu Urrutia.

A host of clubs including Manchester City have reportedly been keeping tabs on the Spanish striker and Urrutia has made it clear that he will not be allowed to go for anything less than his £30m release clause.

'He is a key player and we would not accept less, the supporters would not accept this,' said Urrutia.

Llorente was in good form last season, netting 24 times and had been touted as a possible successor to Edin Dzeko at Eastlands.

However, the hefty price tag may well put off City manager Roberto Mancini.

Llorente, having recently signed a new contract with Bilbao, calmed any talk of him leaving, “now I am only focused on the national side, my situation with Athletic has not changed.”