Hands Off: Arsenal dealt blow as towering striker is taken off the market

Juventus have warned potential suitors, including Premier League leaders Arsenal, that Spain international striker Fernando Llorente is not for sale.

Arsenal have been linked with the giant centre-forward as they continue their search for a big-money signing to provide Olivier Giroud a back-up in his lone striking role.

But the Turin giants’ general director Guiseppe Marotta has dismissed suggestions that Llorente will be made available for transfer and insist they are happy with his form.

“The player is not for sale, he has never been for sale, and he remains with us,” Marotta told Tuttosport.

“There is great confidence in the boy, he is reaching top condition. We are very happy with him and with his progress.”

The former Athletic Bilbao forward has been linked with a move away from Turin after being benched in favour of new signing Carlos Tevez, who has been a regular, alongside either Fabio Quagliarella or Mirko Vucinic.

But Llorente has fought his way back into the team recently with some good performances in the Champions League, causing Antonio Conte to place more faith in the striker.