Juventus begin talks to sign Fernando Llorente

Juventus have revealed they they have begun talks to sign Spanish striker Fernando Llorente.

The 27-year-old is in the last year of his contract at Athletic Bilbao and wants to leave, but the Basque club are desperate to keep their star forward.

Juve director general Beppe Marotta told Tuttosport: "We are negotiating to bring Llorente here.

"But this is not an easy process because Athletic don't want to sell him."

The Serie A champions have been searching for a new striker for much of the summer, with failed attempts to sign Premier League duo Robin van Persie and Luis Suarez.