Fernando Llorente turned down new Swansea deal before joining Tottenham for £12m this summer

FERNANDO LLORENTE has revealed he WAS offered a new contract at Swansea before he decided to join Tottenham for £12million.

The former Bilbao, Juventus and Sevilla striker opted to join Spurs where he has linked up with Argentinian manager Mauricio Pochettino.

He had joined Swansea last summer with his career appearing to be nearly over and after a difficult start, netted 15 goals in 33 games for the Swans.

And that attracted the interest of two of London's biggest sides in Chelsea and Spurs, before the 32-year-old decided to join the North London club.

But Swansea manager Paul Clement and chairman Huw Jenkins had made offers to keep Llorente west of the border.

The Spaniard told : "This was one possibility, but finally Tottenham made it possible for this (to happen).

"I am happy to have come here, I think Spurs are one of the best clubs in the Premier League and I think we can be among the top teams this year but obviously we have to improve on this but it is a long season.

"It was a little strange to be against them, but I think they played very well defensively.

"They needed a point and they played very well to get it.

";Winning at Wembley is going to be important for us, we have found some difficulties but we have to continue to work.

"Swansea played a very good match here.";