Juventus have informed Athletic Bilbao that they intend to begin negotiations with Fernando Llorente over a summer move.

The Spanish club have released a note on their website where they have revealed that the Italian club have told them of their intentions to sign him on a free transfer.

The Spanish international is now free to talk to interested parties seeing as his contract with the Bilbao outfit will expire in June.

The Old Lady have been linked with the player, who also has admirers in the Premiership, since last summer.

The Serie A champions have long been linked with a move for the Spain international, who confirmed shortly before the New Year that he would be leaving the Liga outfit in the near future.

Athletic have now confirmed that Llorente is in talks with Juve over a move to the Turin club when his current deal with Marcelo Bielsa's side expires at the end of the current season.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Juventus football club have contacted Athletic Bilbao on January 3, 2013 to confirm that when Fernando Llorente completes his time with our club on June 30 2013, they will begin negotiations with the player to incorporate him into their squad."