Liverpool’s hopes of landing another centre-forward this summer has taken a blow after Juventus star Fernando Llorente has rejected talk of a move to Anfield.
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The 6 ft 5 inch striker, who was apart of the Spanish squad that were crowned world champions in 2010, has been linked with a move to Merseyside this summer after the Reds baulked at Aston Villa’s £32million valuation of Belgian hotshot Christian Beneteke [via Mail Sport].
With Juve already completing a deal for highly-rated Argentine youngster Paulo Dybala [via BBC Sport] and reportedly on the verge of signing Mario Mandzukic [via Guardian Sport], Llorente could find first-team opportunities with the Serie A champions limited next season, however, he insists he wants to stay:
“At the moment my intention is to remain at Juve,” he told Italian media outlet Sport Mediaset [via Mirror Sport]
“I have to talk to the club and see what they say to me”, Llorente added.
This news comes off the back of another reported transfer target in Luciano Vietto as he also snubbed a move to Anfield after completing a transfer to Atletico Madrid from La Liga rivals Villarreal on Monday afternoon [via Eurosport].
It would now appear that Brendan Rodgers’ shortlist for a new striker is down to three after being linked with moves for Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon over the weekend, and both are considered as cheaper alternatives to Benteke, who remains a target [via Liverpool Echo].
Danny Ings has already decided to join the club and will be officially unveiled on July 1, but with Daniel Sturridge set to be unavailable until October [via Independent Sport], it’s clear Liverpool need more options in attack heading into the new campaign.