Real Madrid wanted Llorente

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was interested in signing Fernando Llorente before the forward agreed to join Juventus.

Juve announced in January that the Spain international will move to Turin on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract with Athletic Bilbao at the end of the season.

Despite Llorente’s imminent arrival at the Juventus Stadium, the Italian champions are still said to be pursuing another striker, much to the bemusement of Perez who remains a keen admirer of Llorente.

“You (Juventus) are really looking for a forward?” Perez said to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport. “But you have already taken a really good one – Llorente.

“He’s really good. I am certain that he will score a lot and that he will also do well in the Champions League.

“He was also liked by us, but our (transfer) policy does not allow us to take a player whose contract is expiring away from another team.”

Despite Perez’s recommendation, the 28-year-old Llorente has scored just one goal in 19 appearances for Athletic in La Liga this season.