Juve's Llorente, Isla set for Sevilla switch

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente is set to return to Spain as part of a deal that will also see teammate Mauricio Isla sign for La Liga side Sevilla, reports said Wednesday.

Juventus signed Llorente on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao two years ago but the towering striker is now surplus to requirements in Turin and Juve are expected to cash in.

Gazzetta dello Sport's website said the Italian champions will recoup 7 million euros ($10 million) plus performance-related bonuses for the 30-year-old Spaniard, who will sign a permanent deal with Sevilla.

Chilean international midfielder Isla, who last season went on loan to Queens Park Rangers, is reported to be part of the deal.

Juventus have seen key changes among personnel in the wake of losing the Champions League final to Barcelona last May.

Striker Carlos Tevez (Boca Juniors) and midfielders Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich), Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC) and Simone Pepe (Chievo) were among the several players who left the club.

But Juventus have filled the gaps, and arguably have an excess of strikers with Mario Mandzukic (Atletico Madrid) and Paulo Dybala (Palermo) joining this summer. Juve already have Spanish international striker Alvaro Morata on their books as well as French youngster Kingsley Coman.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri welcomed a total of seven new faces in the close season, including Germany international midfielder Sami Khedira (Real Madrid) and Brazilian defender Alex Sandro (FC Porto). On Tuesday, unwanted Chelsea forward Juan Cuadrado arrived on a one-season loan deal.

Source: AFP