Transfer Centre

Juventus coach Antonio Conte: 'No contact with Didier Drogba'

By Subhankar Mondal, Reporter | 05 January 2013

Antonio Conte insists that no-one at Juventus has approached him to try to sign striker Didier Drogba from Shanghai Shenhua in January.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has denied making a move for Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba.

The Ivorian striker's agent Carlos Arino Bajo had earlier claimed that both Juve and AC Milan have made contact with him over signing the 34-year-old.

"If the opportunity arises to bring players in, then I'm confident we'll make the right moves," Conte told reporters on Saturday. "I really believe in this group and nobody will be leaving in January.

"I keep reading about Drogba, but the club never proposed him to me or vice-versa. There are economic parameters to be taken into account. Transfers must be intelligent and low-cost."

Conte also confirmed that Juventus are keen on signing Spanish striker Fernando Llorente on a free transfer next summer when his contract with Athletic Bilbao runs out,

"Llorente is a Spanish international and has done very well at Bilbao, so he is an appetising prospect," he said.

"If we have the chance to sign a big player on a free transfer and he chooses us, then good.

"I can certainly say that, a year ago, Llorente wouldn't have taken us into consideration, but we are back to a high level and are now very appealing to big players."

Juventus are currently eight points clear at the top of the Serie A table.