Arsenal have reportedly taken the lead in the race to sign Juventus and Spain striker Fernando Llorente.
The 30 year old has been put up for sale by Juventus after the club signed the likes of Simone Zaza and Paulo Dybala. Llorente has not been short of suitors since being made available, with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid linked.
The Llorente to Arsenal news comes from The Sun and is now also being reported in Italy.
I’d suggest perhaps that Arsenal’s reported ‘interest’ in Llorente may be a tactic to accelerate Real Madrid’s pursuit of the striker. It’s clear that Arsenal really want to sign Karim Benzema and that won’t have a chance of happening unless Madrid sign a new striker – with Llorente amongst those linked.
But with Real Madrid showing no indication of letting Benzema go at this moment, perhaps Arsenal do now need to start looking at alternatives. Our director said on Thursday that Arsenal have £200million and can buy anyone except for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, so let’s act and sign one or two more world class players.
A reliable source in Spain suggested that Arsenal were eyeing Robert Lewandowski as another possible attacking signing, but that too looks extremely unlikely with Lewandowski still a regular for Bayern Munich, arguably the best team in the world.
If Madrid don’t sell Benzema then it’s likely Arsenal will not make any more signings this summer. Mathieu Flamini could leave and that might force Wenger into the market for another defensive midfielder, with Sergi Samper strongly linked with a move to the Emirates.
Did you see? Gossip: Arsenal Could Sign Lewandowski, Welbeck Wanted In Turkey