Its being reported they want 18m plus a 4m bonus clause. Were offering 16m. It could be bs, but those figures seem realistic and fair. It's too small a difference, and he's a better player than to risk losing out on for 2m, especially since we paid that amount for Matri. The loan for Dzeko is an opportunity that if ever, will only exist in the last 2-3 days of the mercato. The player is completely demotivated, his value has dropped, and a loan could suit both parties. Shitty for their part are analysing who to go for before they make a move. It's pretty clear Marrotta is watching their next move. This is how I'm reading thie situation anyway.
Few scenarios:
A) We agree terms for Llorente with e player, offer an official bid with his team. Shitty develop an interest, and ask us to step aside so its not a bidding war. We could drop our interest despite having made e first move and 'advanced' talks, in exchange for a favourable deal with Dzeko. Taking an unmotivated player off their hands.
B) We actually move for Llorente and close a deal between what we are offering and what they want, or perhaps simply negotiate the bonus clause to suit us better. If this is the case, then this deal won't be dragging on much longer, because the longer we stay in this, the more teams get drawn towards the situation and it creates a demand and bidding war.
C) Marrotta taking the attention off some of our real targets, who we perhaps have no idea about or drawing the attention of some clubs who could be potential rivals for Dzeko's signature to Llorente and his situation at Bilbao.
None of this maybe true, but I'm just saying these are some situations we could imagine developing through these scenarios.