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Fernando Llorente could prove a smart acquisition for Chelsea and Antonio Conte

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

Swansea City's Spanish striker Fernando Llorente celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Sunderland at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, south Wales on December 10, 2016. / AFP / Geoff CADDICK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images)
Swansea City's Spanish striker Fernando Llorente celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Sunderland at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, south Wales on December 10, 2016. / AFP / Geoff CADDICK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images) /
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The latest transfer rumours suggest that Chelsea are lining up a mid-season swoop for Swansea City striker, Fernando Llorente.

Chelsea appear set to be quite busy when the mid-season transfer window opens on January 1st. The latest reports claim that Antonio Conte is targeting a move for Swansea City forward, Fernando Llorente. Although somewhat incredulous, this could prove a shrewd move from the Blues.

Spanish outlet, AS, is the source of the story, reporting that Llorente is being eyed as a backup for Diego Costa. Conte is supposedly unhappy with Michy Batshuayi’s development and hence is looking for further options up front.

"Chelsea are in search of a striker in the January transfer window and Blues coach Antonio Conte has already made his wish clear to owner Roman Abramovich: sign Swansea City’s Spanish striker Fernando Llorente."

Llorente joined Swansea in the summer in a surprising coup for the Welsh side. The Spaniard has been a proven talent over the years, forging a legendary career at Athletic Bilbao before moving on to Juventus and Sevilla.

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It is his time in Turin that provides the link off which this story has grounding. Llorente was brought in by Antonio Conte and he netted 16 Serie A goals in his first campaign.

Llorente’s production has since dropped off; he scored only four La Liga goals in 23 appearances for Sevilla last season. Nevertheless, he has still showed signs of his class at points this term. Six goals in 11 Premier League games for an abominable Swans side is no mean feat.

The key in this deal is that Llorente will be brought in as backup, not to start. Diego Costa has been in fine form but the Blues need reliable reinforcements on the bench. They may have scored three goals against Bournemouth without a recognised striker on the field, but that was indicative of Conte’s lack of confidence in Batshuayi.

Until the Belgian can earn the manager’s trust, Chelsea are a one-striker squad. Given Swansea’s position, they may be willing to let Llorente go for reasonable money in order to facilitate their own investment.

They need a mid-season refresh to pull them out of the relegation zone. If the Blues go in early with a tempting offer, Swans chairman Huw Jenkins may just take it.

Llorente represents a cheap, but proven, option for Conte in the second half of the season. The Blues need someone to help them through to the end of the campaign. This is by no means a long term investment and should not be treated as such.

If Llorente is available, Chelsea would be smart to make a move for him.

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