Llorente refused to renew his contract with Athletic

Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia said that Fernando Llorente does not want to renew his contract with the Europa League and Copa del Rey finalists of the last year.

The Basque club hoped to hold on to their striker Fernando Llorente for the 2012-13 La Liga campaign but the 27-year-old is likely to leave before the end of this month , when transfer window closes.

It was reported in Spanish media that Llorente, who scored 17 goals in 32 league appearances for Bilbao last season, is wanted by Italian champions Juventus.

Urrutia said that Llorente and his agent had announced the decision not to extend the contract, ‘Essentially there was no economic reason and what had the most weight was choosing to take part in a different type of competition with more chances of success,’- said Urrutia.