Liverpool are maintaining their interest in Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

Llorente is inside the final year of his Bilbao deal and baulking at discussing new terms with club officials.

Liverpool can secure Llorente to a pre-contract from January and manager Brendan Rodgers sees the Spain international as a replacement for Andy Carroll.

AC Milan, Tottenham and Real Madrid have also been linked with Llorente.