Chelsea are lining up Tottenham star Fernando Llorente as an alternative if the deal for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud falls through.
Chelsea have been desperately scouring the world for a decent back-up striker for main main Alvaro Morata but thus far have failed to sign anyone.
According to ESPN, Llorente is plan B for Chelsea if the Giroud deal collapses.
The Blues identified Olivier Giroud as a possible target after talks with Roma star Edin Dzeko stalled. But now, it seems Chelsea are even struggling to get Giroud over the line with latest reports suggesting Arsenal had rejected a £20m bid from the Blues.
Last summer, head coach Antonio Conte was eager to sign then Swansea striker Fernando Llorente but the board were unwilling to spend as much as Tottenham were to get the 32-year-old.
It’s believed Spurs would be open to letting the Spaniard go after an indifferent season at Spurs. He’s struggled to get any significant playing time, with Harry Kane as the main striker, and has failed to impress when he has played.
Chelsea will not offer Llorente a long-term contract though due to their policy on not extending players contracts to more than one year if they are over 30.
The Blues have a stringent contract policy and it’s believed that’s why they failed to sign Dzeko.
Tottenham will want to get another striker in though if they let Llorente go.
