Spaniard going nowhere says Marotta.
Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has rejected claims in the media that striker Fernando Llorente could quit the club.
The 28-year-old only joined the Turin giants earlier this summer in a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao, but early signs suggest that he may have struggled to settle at his new club.
Reports in the Spanish media on Wednesday claimed that he may return to Spain immediately, with a possible loan move to Barcelona being touted.
However, Marotta has moved to dismiss those reports and insists that the striker is a vital part of coach Antonio Conte’s squad this year and must be given time to adapt to life in Italy.
“We believe in Llorente,” he is quoted as saying in Thursday’s Tuttosport as reported by Football Italia. “We have no intention of selling him.”
The Spanish international has failed to start either of the first two competitive games of the season, having struggled during the club’s pre-season schedule.
Conte has instead preferred the partnership of Mirko Vucinic and Carlos Tevez for the victories over Lazio in the Super Cup and Sampdoria in the Serie A opener, with the pair looking dangerous.
However, with Juve looking to compete both at home and abroad this season, they are likely to require a strong squad for Conte to rotate, and Llorente will undoubtedly be handed the opportunity to impress.
He is likely to face less competition after the transfer window closes too, with Fabio Quagliarella linked with a switch to the Premier League, while Alessandro Matri is nearing a move to AC Milan.
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