Report: Chelsea hoping to sign Fernando Llorente in January

A reunion between Antonio Conte and Fernando Llorente is reportedly in the cards.

According to the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea hopes to sign Llorente during the January transfer window, as Conte views the Spanish striker as an ideal replacement in the event Diego Costa is injured or suspended. The Blues are apparently keen to sign the 31-year-old on loan or on a permanent basis, but are aware it will take some convincing to snatch him from Swansea City.

Furthermore, Chelsea would apparently consider loaning out Michy Batshuayi if capable of landing Llorente. However, Romano notes it's "highly unlikely" Swansea, sitting in the Premier League's relegation zone, sanctions a sale of its top scorer in January.

Conte and Llorente worked together for a year at Juventus, winning the 2013-14 Serie A season as the latter tallied 16 goals and five assists.