Revealed: Pochettino left seething after Tottenham offer trumped

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Published on:

31 Aug 2019, 4:33 am

By Wayne Veysey and Pete O'Rourke

Mauricio Pochettino has been left seething after Tottenham were trumped by Napoli's offer for Fernando Llorente, Football Insider has learned.

The Spurs manager made a new move for the Spanish striker, 34, after his side's shock defeat to Newcastle United last weekend.

A Tottenham source has told Football Insider the club offered a one-year deal to Llorente on reduced terms as they looked to snap him up for the second time on a free transfer.

But the former Spain international snubbed the deal and instead accepted Napoli's two-year contract that he is set to sign later today.

As revealed by Football Insider on Thursday, the Serie A big hitters were finalising terms with Llorente and he is set to undergo a medical with them in the coming hours.

It is a blow to Pochettino, who has been looking for an alternative attacking option after his side's opening three matches of the campaign highlighted the need for a plan B.

The majority of Llorente's 66 appearances during his two seasons at Tottenham were as a substitute, but he still scored 13 times and turned a number of crucial games in the team's favour.

The forward had been open to re-signing for the Londoners but he has been tempted by a bigger role at Napoli as he continues what has been a glittering club career.

Llorente has netted 173 times in 558 club appearances, more than half of which came at hometown club Athletic Bilbao.

In other Spurs news, it can be REVEALED that the club have accepted a major bid for big name, he's granted permission to discuss terms.

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