Juventus star Fernando Llorente‘s agent was in London on Tuesday to negotiate a move to Arsenal, reports the Metro.
The 30-year-old has seen both Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic arrive in Turin this summer, and could be set to leave as a result. An £11 million move to the Gunners is on the cards, and this latest development would hint that a deal is close to being completed.
Last season the Spain international scored eight goals in 36 appearances, but brings more to the team than goalscoring. His ability to hold the ball up and bring teammates in to the game is key, and also happens to be a very similar skillset to Arsene Wenger’s first choice striker Olivier Giroud. This could make the former Athletic Bilbao man the perfect candidate to back up the France international.
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With the North London club needing to bridge a 12 point gap to challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title in the next campaign, a new forward could be vital. There have been doubts over Giroud’s ability against the best sides [Daily Telegraph], while Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, and Joel Campbell have never played in a central role regularly.
Were Arsenal to sign Llorente it could mean that they aren’t going to bring Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema. Although they have been strongly linked with the 27-year-old [London Evening Standard], it would be an odd move to buy two players who play in the same position when there already some options at the club.