Real's Marcos could be a late Chelsea signing

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Kolkata, August 26: Premier League champions Chelsea are favourites to complete the signing of Real Madrid's talented starlet Marcos Llorente as the Blues look to bring in some late additions to their squad ahead of the end of the transfer window.

The Daily Star report that Antonio Conte's side are desperate to splash the cash ahead of the deadline and are readying a move for Llorente who they believe could be a replacement for the departed £40m star Nemanja Matic who made his move to Manchester United earlier this summer.

A conflicting start to the season has lead many to question Chelsea's strength in depth after a somewhat frustrating transfer window.

Losing Matic to title rivals Manchester United has aggravated many Chelsea supporters while simultaneously bewildering neutrals.

As an integral part to their title victory last season it was a strange move to allow the Serbian to join such a close rival with what appeared to be little effort at persuading Matic to stay.

It remains to be seen as to whether Llorente will be able to fill Matic's boots at Stamford Bridge with the midfielder being just 22 years of age and also lacking much experience of first-team football.

The midfielder is ready to leave Madrid this coming week, convinced he won't be able to secure a place in coach Zinedine Zidane's starstudded line-up.

Spanish football pundit Miguel Ángel Díaz on Cope's El Partidazo revealed: "Marcos Llorente, who is one of the pearls of Real Madrid and who played on loan at Alavés last year, has had around 35 teams that have been interested in him, including Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona.

"All Primera teams, except Athletic (Bilbao), have been interested in him. There have been offers from several countries, he is a very coveted player."