Chelsea are not really in need of a striker, with Diego Costa firing on all fronts, but Conte is looking to shake things up when it comes to the man playing back-up to the Spaniard.
The Blues have been strongly linked with a January move for Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente over the past few weeks. Sky Sports are now reporting that the London outfit are prepared to send Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi the other way in order to land Llorente.
The report is quick to add that there hasn’t yet been any contact between the two parties, but states that Chelsea are definitely in for Llorente and sources in Italy understand that a swap deal involving the Belgian is also ‘moving closer’.
Batshuayi just joined the Blues this past summer, arriving from Olympique Marseille in a £33 million deal. The 23-year-old hasn’t yet had a prolonged run in the starting XI, only making 12 appearances off the bench in the Premier League.
The Belgian has started three games in the League Cup and one in the FA Cup though, and boasts of a decent return of four goals and one assist for the Blues in all competitions. Batshuayi has also been linked with a move to West Ham United this winter, and the Hammers will definitely not be too pleased with these new developments.
Llorente moved to Swansea City from Sevilla this past summer as well, and has had a bit of a mixed time at Swansea. The 31-year-old has notched up five goals in 12 Premier League appearances, but could be looking to jump ship given the dreary relegation battle that the Swans face.
Antonio Conte was the manager who brought Llorente to Juventus back in 2013, and the Spanish striker enjoyed a brilliant season under the Italian. It now looks like Conte is keen on a reunion, and a back-up role wouldn’t bother the aging striker too much at this point in his career.
It is as yet unclear whether Batshuayi will leave permanently or on loan, although the latter option seems more likely. In that case, the 23-year-old can pick up some valuable Premier League experience, while the Blues can enjoy the services of an experienced campaigner like Llorente in the squad.
