Marotta: Llorente will move to Juventus this summer

Jan 21, 2013 3:50:00 PM

The Bianconeri CEO is confident that his club will be able to lure the Spain international in the summer having missed out on a January transfer for the player

Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta is confident of signing Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

Goal.com exclusively revealed that the Bianconeri had a January bid for the Spain international turned down last week, but the 57-year-old is certain that he will represent the club next season nonetheless.

"I do not beat around the bush, we told Athletic Bilbao that we are interested in the player and I'm optimistic about his contract. He will play for Juventus from July 1," the 57-year-old told Radio24.

Marotta went on to say the club are always monitoring the transfer market, but claimed that a move for Napoli star Edinson Cavani would be incredibly unlikely.

"We watch the market carefully, if there are possibilities of improving the group will try to catch them. [Cavani] is not only elusive for Juve, but for all the Italian teams," he added.

Juventus currently top the table of Serie A with a five-point lead over second-placed Napoli.

Inside Goal.Com

Like Owomoyela, like Sam
The German-Nigerian has been put in the dicey position of having to decide his international future after J Loew called him up last week
Player Ratings: Siena 1-2 AC Milan
Goal was on hand to judge all the players as Allegri's men finished third in Serie A and secured a Champions League berth next season
Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid
Goal rates the players on show as the newly-crowned Liga champions cruised past the challenge of Miroslav Djukic's men to keep up hopes of reaching 100 points
Arsenal hold their nerve in top-four battle
Arsene Wenger's side produced a clinical performance to secure a top-four Premier League finish but now they must kick on if they wish to challenge for honours next year
Who is the greatest Champions League striker ever?
Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel