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Paul Clement "confident" Fernando Llorente will stay at Swansea City

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 11 August 2017

Paul Clement reiterates that Fernando Llorente will remain a Swansea City player for the forthcoming campaign, despite rumoured interest from Chelsea.

Swansea City boss Paul Clement has stressed that he is keen to keep hold of striker Fernando Llorente for another season, despite ongoing links with a move to Chelsea.

The Spanish World Cup winner proved a key member of the Swans squad that narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last term, scoring 15 times in his debut campaign.

Talk of a switch to Chelsea has refused to go away during the summer, with the 32-year-old recently revealing that an approach was made by the Blues in January, but Clement is adamant that his leading marksman will not be going anywhere.

"Fernando has got a year to go on his deal and we'd like him to stay for this year and longer," he told reporters. "He's a really good player and it's a shame with the injury he got in the summer.

"It's a freak one and he did finish off the season strongly. His goals were vital and we want to have him as an option. When he's fit, to have him, Tammy Abraham and Jordan Ayew available is a good thing for me.

"But I'm confident he will stay because of the conversations I've had with Fernando. He's happy here, he likes the work we're doing and he likes the way we play. I'm confident he will be here this season."

The freak arm injury sustained by Llorente in a cycling accident will likely keep him out of action for the opening two weeks of the new season.