Athletic Bilbao striker puts Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal on alert

Athletic Bilbao star Fernando Llorente has sparked a transfer scramble after admitting he is set to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer.

The 27-year-old has turned down the Spanish side’s offer of a new contract and, after being denied a move during the last transfer window, will now move on without his new club having to pay a fee.

Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as several of European football’s top clubs, are now primed to scrap for the striker who netted 29 goals in all competitions last year.

"Yes, I'm leaving on June 30," Llorente revealed. "I want to try other things.

"I made [my decision] when I played my first match at San Mames in the Europa League [against Slaven Koprivnica on August 2]."

He has also insisted that he did not make the choice because of the financial offer from his current club and has blamed the press for the bad blood now evident between him and some of Athletic Bilbao’s supporters, which has also contributed to his impending exit.

"Let it be clearly stated - it is not an economic issue," he added. "Athletic's offer was irresistible.

"The press has not really helped my renewal. It is one of the reasons that bad feeling has been generated towards me on the field [from the fans], and that's what has prompted me to not renew. That, along with many other things.

"You [the media] have not helped because most of what has come out in the press has been lies, but people have tipped the balance against me.

"That has come out on the field, with people blowing their whistles. It is [only] a section that wants me out, I respect that. I feel loved by most of the Athletic fans."