Juventus: 5 Strikers the Bianconeri Could Add to Fernando Llorente

"You're really looking for a forward? But you have already taken a really good one: Fernando Llorente." 

Those are the words of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez addressing his opposite numbers at Juventus, according to the Turin-based sports daily, Tuttosport (in English here, via goal.com). 

The Spaniard was reacting to the news that Juve were in the market for another forward, despite signing up the Athletic Bilbao man earlier in the year, as his contract was expiring. 

The imposing striker has made quite the name for himself at the Basque club and is one of the most respected and admired at the position today. He has, however, endured a torrid season this term, something the Bianconeri will be hoping doesn't continue once he's moved to Turin.

But even with the Spaniard, Conte & Co. are still in the market for a forward. So who could complement—or perhaps even upstage—Llorente next season? 

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Ezequiel Lavezzi has had a solid, unspectacular first season in France with Paris Saint-Germain. But having spent five years leading the line for Napoli, Juve will be in no doubts to his quality. 

Lavezzi was, in fact, the subject of a lot of transfer speculation with the Bianconeri last year before he moved to Paris. Having lost out to the big-spending Parisians in 2012, Juve might try to entice Lavezzi back to Serie A.

The Argentinian's agent has been talking up the possibility of a return to Italy too—but could it be to Turin rather than Naples? 

Gonzalo Higuain

Juve reportedly sent a delegation to watch Real Madrid's Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund to assess the value of another Argentinian, Gonzalo Higuain. 

With 104 goals in 187 league appearances, it's hard for some to understand why exactly Real Madrid want to part with the 25-year-old.

But the former River Plate man does look set to exit the Spanish giants at the end of the season, and what better destination for a striker looking to prove his worth than the current Italian champions?

With heaps of experience for Real and Argentina at major championships, Higuain is the sort of player you'd expect to hit the ground running in Turin. Not surprising, then, that Juventus are already said to be working on securing his signature. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He ditched Juve when they were relegated and threatened to sue the club if they tried to block his move. So it's fair to say that this isn't a move that's likely to please too many Juve fans, but the fact remains that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still one of the world's best players.

The Swede famously left Juve in their hour of need following the Calciopoli scandal—and to make matters worse, it was to their great rivals Inter that he went.

But that was a long time ago, in football terms, and if his goals could help fire Juve to the latter stages of the Champions League, he might be soon forgiven. 

Alexis Sanchez

Like Lavezzi, Alexis Sanchez might not be direct competition for Llorente up front, but he would make a great partner. The Chilean has been patchy at Barcelona, but his quality was clear during his spell at Udinese. Antonio Conte will know that the forward's style would suit Juve well. 

Udinese and Conte's Juventus often play a similar style, and Sanchez's ability to play wide or in a roaming role in the hole behind a front man like Llorente would be very useful to the manager, as it would allow him not only to fully utilise the potential of his current 3-5-2, but also to conjure up a plan-B when needed. 

Barca might be keen to get back something on the forward, who hasn't really worked out at the Camp Nou. The deal with Udinese was to the tune of €40 million, but following a mediocre two terms in Spain, he'd likely go for a good bit less this summer. 

Wayne Rooney

With all the fuss going on at Manchester United recently,Wayne Rooney could be wondering if his future might lay elsewhere. 

According to reports (via the Metro), the England forward asked Sir Alex Ferguson for a transfer just weeks ago only to be told "No." Now, he finds himself at a cross-roads. Some in England are beginning to question Rooney's commitment to United and his ability to perform at the highest level in the coming seasons.

There were some rumours (here, via football-italia.net) earlier in the year that Juve were considering a move. A Scouse in Serie A? It could happen.