Barcelona have reportedly contacted the representatives of Athletic Bilbao striker, Fernando Llorente, to guage interest in the player`s interest in coming to the Camp Nou before the close of the transfer window on Friday evening.

According to Spanish football transfer insiders, Punto Pelota, Barcelona have approached Llorente`s people, but it appears Athletic Bilbao president, Josu Urrutia is no longer accepting transfer offers for the Spanish international that do not meet his €36 million release clause.

Italian Serie A champions, Juventus were reportedly in the advanced stages of negotiations, but talks have stalled since last Saturday.

Llorente`s contract, which was the catalyst for him to submit his transfer request, expires on 30 June, 2013 which would see him leave on a free transfer, with Athletic not receiving one euro, something they are very firmly against.

What Athletic are hoping to do, is convince Barcelona to sign Llorente before the summer transfer window closes, but keep him in Bilbao for this season, where he will join Barcelona at the end of the 2012-2013 season.

If this does not come to fruition and Llorente stays for this season, he will be free to talk to the five clubs currently interested in him, which include; Juventus, Milan, Manchester City, Tottenham and Barcelona.

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