Chelsea Dealt Blow In Pursuit Of Veteran Striker

Chelsea have been dealt a blow after Swansea manager Paul Clement hinted they are not selling Fernando Llorente.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for the Spanish striker after reports that Antonio Conte is keen on a reunion with Llorente whom he managed during his time at Juventus.

Conte is said to be keen to sign him as a cover for Diego Costa having deemed current choice Michy Batshuayi ‘as not yet ready’ to start in the Premier League due to the physicality of the League.

However, Paul Clement has dismissed speculations over the future of centre-forward.

He said: ‘I want to keep Gylfi [Sigurdsson ] here. He’s similar to Llorente,

‘We’re in a situation where we want to win games and you’ve got to keep your best players to do that.

‘I’ve enjoyed working with them already, they appear to be very motivated, focused on what we need to do to move this team forward.’

Prior reports had it that the Blues were considering a move for the former Juventus ace in a swap deal that will see Michy Batshuayi move to the Liberty stadium with suggestions that the 23-year-old is not keen on a move to Swansea and favours a move to West Ham United. It then emerged that Conte has reversed his decision to send the Belgian striker and wants him to be part of the squad.

Chelsea are said to be interested in bringing in cover for several positions in the current squad.