La Liga giants Barcelona are set to rival Manchester United for the signing of Juventus‘ Spanish World Cup winning striker Fernando Llorente.
According to reports in Spain [via Sky Sports] the Catalan outfit are the latest club to register an interest in the 30-year-old, as manager Luis Enrique seeks to provide suitable back-up for Luis Suarez.
With Pedro’s future at the Nou Camp uncertain at the minute following strong links with a move to the Barclays Premier League [via Sky Sports], last season’s Champions League winners have a plan in place in case the forward decides to join the Red Devils during the current transfer window.
Llorente, who is also attracting interest from Barca’s fierce rivals Real Madrid, was linked with a switch to Liverpool earlier in the summer [via Mail Sport] but speculation over that move cooled once the Reds triggered Christian Benteke’s £32.5 million release clause [via Independent Sport].
Competition for places at Juve is set to increase in the upcoming season following the arrivals of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic, and that could result in Llorente being surplus to requirements for the reigning Serie A champions despite bagging seven league goals en route to the Old Lady claiming the title in Italy once again.
Reports in the British media on Tuesday night [via Mirror Sport] claimed Llorente has emerged as a shock transfer target for United boss Louis van Gaal as he has been vocal in his intentions to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes in just over a month’s time.
With Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez the only senior recognised strikers left at the club following the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao earlier in the summer, van Gaal hinted that a deal for an unnamed striker was in place [via Guardian Sport] and it now seems he may well have a battle on his hands to bring Llorente to Old Trafford.
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