Tottenham battle Chelsea for Swansea City striker

London, August 31: Tottenham are considering a deadline day move for Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente, according to reports.

Chelsea were said to be in talks with Swansea over a £15 million deal for the striker with Conte being a long time admirer of the Spaniard. However, Pochettino plans to hijack the deal as he sees the former Juventus star as an ideal backup for Harry Kane.

Mauricio Pochettino is in the market for a new striker to support Harry Kane and Llorente is among the players who are being considered for the role.

Vincent Janssen was brought from AZ last season for the job to support Harry Kane but the Dutchman failed miserably in the North London club and now Pochettino is looking for a more experienced and seasoned customer.

Llorente is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season as he missed the start of the campaign due to a broken arm.

Llorente, who scored 15 Premier League goals last season, was wanted by Antonio Conte in January but Swansea refused to entertain offers. The Spaniard shares a cordial relationship with Conte from his Juventus days but Pochettino believes that he can beat Conte for Llorente’s signature.

Ideally, Spurs would seem a better destination for Llorente than Chelsea as he would be the second-choice striker after Harry Kane whereas Chelsea have Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi who will be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Llorente’s exit depends on Swansea’s ability to sign a replacement as the Swans are in talks with Manchester City over a deal for former striker Wilfried Bony.

Meanwhile, Serge Aurier has been given the go-ahead for his £23million switch to Spurs. And the North Londoners have also signed promising Argentine centre-back Juan Foyth, 19, in a £8million deal from Estudiantes.

Tottenham had been sweating on getting international clearance for Ivory Coast defender Aurier after he was found guilty of assaulting a police officer last year. But, he appealed and the 24-year-old has been given the all-clear to now put pen to paper on a five-year deal.