Juventus sporting director Beppe Marotta has confirmed the club’s interest in Carlos Tevez than Gonzalo Higuain, while suggesting the former would be easier to sign, Sky Sports understands.
Additionally, Juve, who have won back-to-back Serie A titles, have already agreed a four-year deal with Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.
Llorente was very much out-of-favour with Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa this season, having started just four league matches for Los Leones.
The Spain international netted just five goals, hist fewest tally since the 2006-07 campaign, in 34 appearances across all competitions for Bilbao in 2012-13.
Now then, earlier this month, Real Madrid general manager Jose Angel Sanchez revealed that the club would sell Gonzalo Higuain in the summer.
A number of Europe’s top clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, have since been linked with the Argentina international.
Juve are among the interested clubs, but would prefer to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez on the cheap, with the 29-year-old’s current contract set to expire at the end of next season.
“Maybe it would be easier to sign Tevez,” said Marotta. “He is older and has just one year of his contract left. But, in reality, we have done nothing with Real Madrid, nor with City.”
“We are not the first to notice his quality and experience. He is a player with a big desire to rebuild his career.
“Nevertheless, he is owned by City and we have made no approach to them. It is obvious that even in the event of an agreement with the player, the club still has an important say.”
Tevez tallied 17 goals and 10 assists in 47 competitive appearances for Manchester City this season. Meanwhile, Higuain bagged 16 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid.
AVB expects Bale stay
Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas expects PFA Players’ Player of the Year Gareth Bale to stay at White Hart Lane next season despite the club’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, according to ESPN.
Bale, 23, continues to be linked with summer moves away from White Hart Lane amid reported interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old Wales international recently confirmed his interest in moving abroad in the ‘future,’ fueling speculation that the ‘future’ could be as soon as this summer.
When asked if Bale would stay in North London, AVB said: “Yes, that’s the information we have. It is very, very difficult to lure a player of this dimension away. You have to hold onto your best assets.”
“Tottenham is a wonderful club who will continue to attract big players and will continue to push on. It was a very good season. We pushed all the way for fourth and third spot and I think we can make it better next season.”
Bale was absolutely brilliant in 2012-13, bagging 21 goals and four assists in 34 English Premier League starts for Spurs, while adding three goals and three assists in eight UEFA Europa League appearances.
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