Manchester United are eyeing Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

The Sunday Mirror says the Premier League leaders will be in the hunt for Athletic Bilbao striker Llorente when he becomes a free agent in the ­summer. The 27-year-old was the top Spanish scorer in La Liga last season and was brilliant when the Basque club knocked United out of the Europa League.

But Llorente has fallen out of favour as his contract ticks into its final few months.

And Ferguson believes it will be an astute piece of business if he lands the powerful target-man for free in the summer.