Barca target Llorente

Barcelona are pondering a move for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente, according to a report in Sport.

The Catalans are aware that in certain games they need to come up with a Plan B and believe Llorente fits the profile of a tall centre-forward who would be able to break down opposing defences.

Ariedo Braida, who heads the Barca sporting commission put together in the wake of Andoni Zubizarreta’s departure, has a good relationship with Juve, having spoken about Paul Pogba in recent months, and is weighing up his options regarding former Athletic Bilbao man Llorente.

Barca see the 30-year-old as having different characteristics as a goalscorer to Luis Suarez and a tall, physical striker would add a different aspect to the side when it comes to getting on the end of balls into the box.

Llorente is friends with a number of Barca players and fits the requirements of a traditional No 9, while he has not been a regular in Serie A this season and Juve could well be prepared to let him go.

In addition, the player himself is keen to get more minutes under his belt, with Valencia and Tottenham Hotspur also understood to be monitoring his situation in Italy, although the asking price would be around €12m.

However, if a deal for Llorente does not come off Barca are looking at alternatives and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko is another who is under consideration.

Tags Fernando Llorente Juventus
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