According to reports from The Express this morning, Arsenal are expected to wrap up a deal for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente by next Monday.
The lofty Spain international, who measures in at a whopping 6 foot 5, has contributed 23 goals to Juve’s last two Serie A titles since joining the Turin outfit from Athletic Bilbao in summer 2013.
He looks set to leave the Old Lady this summer, having managed just 25 league starts last season. He’s now aged 30 and into the final two years of his contract.
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Last week, Llorente was dubbed Manchester United’s ‘surprise’ replacement for Robin van Persie by Mirror Football, after manager Louis van Gaal had quipped to the press on the club’s pre-season tour; “It’s not the striker that the media has written. But you have to wait and see. The transfer period is open until August or September 2.”
But according to The Express, it’s now title rivals Arsenal who are set to sign the towering target man. Citing French publication L’Equipe, they claim the Gunners will sign Llorente by next Monday in a £8.5million deal.
He’ll likely serve as back-up to current first-choice striker Olivier Giroud, who signed a three-year contract at the Emirates last week.
That is not true, Wenger will not sign a 30 year old for that amount of money, there is no truth about the story. At Arsenal when you are 30 years old, even if you have been with them, they only consider one year contract. So for Wenger to pump out that kind of money for a 30 year old is a wishful thinking. Never ever think Wenger will buy a 30 year old and pay 8 million pounds, that I want to assure you, it will never happen.
You realise you spent £10m on 33 year-old Petr Cech less than a month ago?
mhh maybe but, i doubt!!!!!!!!!!
Malyan please Cech is a goal keeper that can be at his best till the next 7years while Llorente is at d final stage of his best playing career @ their respective ages.l doubt the transfer but anything can happen in d game of football
Llorente is a striker who has never relied on pace. He could still play for another three/four years.
Admittedly Llorente would be a poor substitute for the [unlikely] Benzema rumours which were floating around a few weeks ago, but I’ve always felt he had the potential to turn out as a top-class striker, and would certainly provide an interesting alternative to Giroud.
A striker roster of Giroud, Llorente, and Walcott would allow Arsenal three very different options for particular occasions. I don’t think they’ve really managed to fill the role of the ‘big number 9’ since that one season when Adebayor was really good; Chamakh and Bendtner were undoubtedly huge flops.
I agree with the author in that I don’t think Llorente’s age should count against him; as Mr. Malyan said he has never relied on pace, he is a capable footballer on the technical level, and also has the physicality which should in theory allow him to adapt to the Premier League. In addition, he has never been particularly injury-prone, and has also never been run into the ground in terms of playing time (a.k.a. the ‘Kevin Lisbie effect’).
Llorente would be a good signing for Arsenal, would not be particularly expensive, and would provide them with some very exciting options at centre forward, particularly when you bear in mind the service they will receive from Cazorla, Ozil and Sanchez.
Pls who can tell wenger dat Chicharito is available and will be d best buy. His a penalty box striker dat arsenal needs.
Benzema wont be bad shaa