Juventus launch assault on Llorente
Juventus are pondering bid for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.
The Bianconeri have been very active in the transfer window, signing several high-profile players, but there are still searching for a new centre forward.
After Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie proved to be unrealistic targets, the Old Lady have turned their attention towards Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
However, given that there have been no new developments in their pursuit of the Bosnian, Juventus have shown interest in Athletic Bilbao forward Fernando Llorente.
The Bianconeri had the player watched in the Europa League match against Slaven Koprivnica and are now set to enter the bidding war with other interested parties.
The Spain international, who has just one year left on his deal at San Mames, has informed the club chiefs that he wants to leave the club after rejecting a new contract offer, which forced Athletic to lower their asking price to €20 million.
Juventus officials believe they can get the player for much less, but they will need to act fast in order to get their man, given that other high-profile clubs are also keen.
Whoever wins the race for the 27-year-old will get a great centre forward and the player who netted a total of 28 times in 53 competitive matches last season.
Monaco win race for River wonderkid
Monaco have reached an agreement with River Plate over the transfer of striker Lucas Ocampos, TV station ESPN Deportes has revealed.
The 18-year-old is widely regarded as one of world’s most talented forwards and has seen his name linked with Inter, Manchester United and Chelsea.
However, ESPN Deportes understands that Monaco have won the race for the player’s signature.
The same source claims that the Ligue 2 side have agreed to pay €14 million for the highly rated youngster, with another €2 million depending on performance related bonuses.
The Argentine club will only get half of the transfer fee, seeing they own 50% of the player’s rights, with 15% of the transfer going to his former club Quilmes.
The remaining 35% will go to the investment group that has purchased just over a third of the player’s rights some time ago.
Lucas Ocampos has scored 7 goals in 38 games during his first professional season at Stadio Monumental and he will have a chance to further hone his skills in French Ligue 2.
Heinze set for Argentina return
Roma defender Gabriel Heinze is on the verge of signing for Newell’s Old Boys, according to the Argentine club.
The 34-year-old no longer features in Zdenek Zeman’s plans for the new season and it is more than clear that he will be allowed to leave the club in the summer transfer window.
The Argentine defender has one year left on his deal at Olimpico, but Roma are ready to terminate his contract and let him leave on a free transfer.
Newell’s Old Boys have announced on their official website that Heinze is set to rescind his contract with Roma and return to Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
It was at Newell’s that Heinze began his career, but only played eight league games for la Lepra before joining Valladolid.
The experienced defender also enjoyed spells with Sporting Lisbon, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Marseille before arriving to Roma last summer.
Last season with the Giallorossi showed that Heinze is nearing the closing stage of his career, so a return to his first club definitely looks like the right thing to do.
For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2012/13 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.
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