Pochettino reveals that decision on player’s future is not entirely in his hands

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he is not fully in control of Fernando Llorente’s future at the club.

The Spanish striker scored a hat-trick in last night’s 7-0 demolition of Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup third round.

Llorente’s contract at Spurs is set to expire at the end of the current campaign and has been heavily linked with a move to a number of clubs including Galatasaray and his former club Atletico Bilbao.

The 33-year-old has previously stated his desire to once again play for Bilbao (Standard) where he scored 111 goals in 327 games between 2005 and 2013.

The former World Cup winner has struggled to establish himself as Harry Kane’s back-up, with Pochettino preferring to select Heung-min Son as a second choice option.

Pochettino admitted after the win against Tranmere that the decision about Llorente’s future is also down to what the player himself wants to do.

Llorente has netted nine goals in all competitions since joining the club from Swansea City.

The Spurs boss told Football.London: “Yes, it’s a six-month contract with the club and we will see what happens. As I explained for different players, it’s not only in our hands, what the player wants. Of course now the window is open we’re going to talk.”