Juventus sporting director Beppe Marotta has seemingly confirmed that Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente will join the club at the end of the season.

The Spanish international will leave the Basque outfit when his contract expires in June, with a number of European clubs credited with an interest in the powerful forward.

However, Marotta told Italian radio: "I'm optimistic on his contract. In any case, he will join Juve on July 1."

Llorente has spent much of the La Liga season on the Bilbao bench.