Everton are preparing to complete a second raid on La Liga following our reported capture of Andre Gomes, as Spanish outlet Noticias de Gipuzkoa understand the agent of Diego Llorente has warned Real Sociedad that a bid from the Toffees is in the offing.
Juanma Lopez y Gelu Rodriguez has a history of warning the Txuri-Urdinak of interest in his client, having informed the Anoeta side last summer that we would be making an approach for their 4-cap Spain international. Only our Director of Football Marcel Brands returned to Catalunya to lure another one of FC Barcelona’s talents away from the Camp Nou in the end in Yerry Mina.
With Kurt Zouma returning to Chelsea, though, our interest in Llorente re-emerged last month, when Noticias de Gipuzkoa suggested the 25-year-old was once again earning the attention of Brands.
We have also been linked with the 6 ft 1 centre-back again following the departures of Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams, which have left the club searching for ways to rejuvenate the backline. Mina has also been noted as a possible departure this summer, with Fenerbahce interested in a loan deal.
It was not claimed at the time that a bid was being readied on Merseyside for £26,982-a-week Llorente though, but the Spanish publication now suggest Juanma Lopez has informed Sociedad that a Premier League side will lodge a substantial offer, and it is believed that we are the club behind the move.
Although, while it has not been claimed when this alleged approach for Llorente will be made and nor was the definitive figure, it is thought we are in no hurry to get a deal done.
Llorente is currently protected by a €50million (£44.4m) release clause at his La Liga side, but President Jokin Alguacil is understood to be realistic about the defender’s true market value and would be prepared to accept a €30million (£26.6m) bid.
The San Sebastian outfit also see Llorente’s potential exit in good light, given they spent just €7million (£6.2m) to sign him from his academy side Real Madrid two summers ago.