Llorente: Juve or nothing

Spanish media claim Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has made up his mind that Juventus is his preferred destination.

A report in AS claims the Spanish international has made a personal plea to President Josu Urrutia to accept Juve’s €21m offer, or run the risk of him leaving for nothing when his contract expires at the end of next season.

At that meeting it is understood Llorente told Urrutia that everything is agreed between himself and the Serie A giants and that his decision to depart San Mames is irreversible.

Juventus this week increased their offer for the 27-year-old to €21m, broken down into €18m plus add-ons, after being frustrated in their summer attempts to sign Robin Van Persie and Gonzalo Higuain.

However, the Basques are digging in their heels for the €36m rescission clause stated in Llorente’s contract, a fee Juve have refused to pay, and if negotiations continue to drag on the Italians may even turn their attentions elsewhere.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, a €20m move for Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko could still be on the cards before the transfer deadline, although the Premier League champions are not willing to let him leave after Sergio Aguero suffered a knee injury last week.