TheSportsCampus

Italian champions Juventus are hoping to seal the capture of Athletic Bilbao star striker Fernando Llorente by offering him a massive £145,000-a-week long-term contract. The Spaniard is also reportedly a target for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger although the Frenchman is unlikely to match the massive wages offered by the Serie A giants.

With summer signing Olivier Giroud failing to meet the standards set by Dutch super striker Robin van Persie, who quit Arsenal for Manchester United over the summer, Wenger was said to be planning a winter purchase of a world-class striker. The Bilbao striker’s current contract ends next summer, making him an attractive option for the low-spending Wenger.

Juventus though are planning to offer £5 million to Bilbao in the winter transfer window when the Spanish striker will have just six months on his contract, reported the Daily Mail. Although the Gunners could tempt the club with a higher bid for Llorente, Wenger is unlikely to break the wage structure at the club and offer the forward a hefty pay packet.

With Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon set for a wage cut, the figure offered to Llorente could see him become the joint top earner at the club alongside the legendary Italian goalkeeper. Arsenal are going through a severe trophy drought whereas the Italian club has regained its lost sheen, winning the Serie A title with an unbeaten run last season. All factors favour a move to Juve, although Wenger will try hard to lure the striker to the Emirates in the coming transfer window.