Arsenal and Liverpool Tracking Athletic Bilbao Defender - Report

Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta is reportedly attracting attention from a host of top European clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool.

The 27-year-old's contract with the La Liga outfit will expire at the end of the season and the two parties have failed to agree on a new deal. According to Sky Sports, the situation has alerted the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton, while Barcelona and AC Milan have also been credited with an interest in the Venezuela international.

Amorebieta has made over 250 appearances for Bilbao in all competitions since breaking into the club's first team in 2005. He is now regarded as one of the best centre-backs in La Liga. The defender played a crucial role in Bilbao's impressive Europa League campaign last season, where they beat the likes of Manchester United on their way to the final.

However, Amorebieta had picked up 16 yellows and three reds in the same season and is considered aggressive and slightly reckless. This might raise a few questions in the minds of the Premier League managers but it will be interesting to see if an English top flight outfit would pass the chance to snap up the Bilbao star as a free agent.

Llorente Excited by Juventus Move

Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has expressed his delight over joining Juventus in the summer.

The 27-year-old, who was linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, signed a four-year deal with the Bianconeri last month and will move to Turin when his Bilbao contract runs out at the end of the season.

"I had offers from many teams. But I really liked the Juve project. They have invested heavily in me from the start and have always been clear of their intentions. I've always enjoyed the competitive spirit of Italian teams, and for me, Juve are the biggest," ESPN quoted Llorente.

"The club are also trying to win the Champions League, which for me, is the title that is the most exciting. They are a winning team, with the ambition to keep on winning. It excites me a lot," the Spaniard added.