Fernando Llorente has been linked with a move away from Tottenham after just one year in North London, as the Mirror report that he is open to a return to Athletic Bilbao.

Another transfer market failure would yet again indicate that Mauricio Pochettino’s major weakness is his competence in the transfer market.

What’s the story, then?

Llorente – valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt – arrived at Spurs on summer transfer deadline day as Pochettino left it until the last minute to secure backup for Harry Kane.

But the Spaniard only has one Premier League goal to his name and it is understandable that he is reportedly looking for a return to the club where he spent 12 years.

It would again leave Spurs scratching around for someone to replace Kane if, as has happened twice this season, he falls foul of injury.

Pochettino again fails in the transfer market

Pochettino has done a wonderful job on a tight budget at Spurs; developing younger players and securing cheap gems like Dele Alli and Eric Dier.

Yet, his one blind spot appears to be when he dips into the market for experienced or expensive signings; Serge Aurier, Vincent Janssen and Moussa Sissoko are other examples – it’s not just Llorente.

It is something that the Argentine desperately needs to work on, especially if he wants to accelerate Spurs’ development, which would surely lead to trophies.

Daniel Levy is notoriously stingy with his funds and he may well stop trusting Pochettino to make the big calls on the big moves if his poor transfer record continues.

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