Liverpool are planning a pre-contract offer for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente. The Spain international is now inside the final 12 months of his current deal and can sign a pre-contract with a foreign team from January 1.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers sees Llorente as the ideal strike-partner for Luis Suarez and his Bosman status also is attractive to the club's American owners.

AS says Liverpool are now favourites for Llorente ahead of Juventus, Tottenham and Arsenal.