Juventus to take on Arsenal for Llorente

Juventus are ready to rival Arsenal in the battle to land Fernando Llorente - after chief executive Beppe Marotta admitted that the club are working on signing a 'top' player in January.

Llorente dropped a bombshell this summer when he told Athletic Bilbao that he had no plans to sign a new contract at the club.

This alerted the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool but the Spain international eventually stayed at Bilbao.

However, the La Liga club are mindful of the fact that their star striker could leave for nothing next summer so are ready to sell him in January when the transfer window re-opens.

Arsenal remain keen on the 27-year-old and could make their move in January - but they are likely to face competition from Juventus.

The Serie A champions are desperate to boost their attacking options after failing to lure Robin van Persie from Arsenal and Luis Suarez from Liverpool in the summer.

Marotta said: "People continue to ask me if we will sign a top player in January and all I will say at this moment is that we are monitoring our options with great attention."