Athletic Bilbao turn down final Juventus offer for Llorente

Jan 19, 2013 9:15:00 AM

The Primera Division outfit have decided not to accept the Old Lady's final bid for the 27-year-old, who is now set to stay at San Mames until the end of the season

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Athletic Bilbao have told Juventus that they have no intention to sell Fernando Llorente in the January transfer window, despite the Serie A side issuing them with an ultimatum, Goal.com understands.

The Bianconeri made a final offer of €4 million plus a €300,000 bonus if they successfully defend their Scudetto earlier this week, giving Athletic until Friday to make a decision.

The Basque side have opted not to accept the bid, though, meaning that the Spain international will stay put until his contract expires at the end of the season.

Juventus had earmarked the 27-year-old striker as the perfect addition to their attack this winter, but they will now have to wait until June to get their man.

Llorente will join the Serie A champions on a Bosman at the end of the season on a four-year deal worth €4m per annum after Juve agreed personal terms with the forward back in October.

The Spain international told Athletic at the start of the 2012-13 campaign that he did not want to extend his expiring deal, and has since been struggling for game time, scoring just once in 12 Liga games.