Juventus confident of closing Llorente deal for €20m

Juventus confident of sealing €20m Llorente deal

21-Aug-2012 2:25:00 PM

The Serie A giants have little doubt that last year's Europa League finalists will eventually lower their demands, thus facilitating a move to Turin for the striker

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Juventus are confident of landing Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao for €20 million, Goal.com understands.

The Serie A champions have made the Spain international their primary target in the transfer market after they failed to sign Edinson Cavani and Fernando Torres, and Juve are hopeful their attempts to sign Llorente will be successful.

Athletic have set a €30m asking price for the towering attacker, whereas the Old Lady are only willing to spend €18m plus €2m in bonuses.

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Juventus remain confident about a deal going through, though, after a telephone call between general director Giuseppe Marotta and the Basque side's president Josu Urrutia helped negotiations.

The Spanish side do not want to sell Llorente to another Liga rival, thus increasing Juventus' chances of luring him to Turin, while they also want to prevent the striker from leaving the club on a free transfer when his contract expires next year.

Therefore, Juve believe the Primera Division outfit will eventually lower their demands, and accept the Italian giants' offer.

Llorente's agent Carlos Arino Bajo stated last week that a move to Juventus was a realistic option for his client.