Spanish press claim Swansea close to signing Llorente

Swansea City have moved a step closer to bolstering their forward line by agreeing a deal last night to sign Spain global Fernando Llorente from reigning Europa League champions Sevilla.

The Welsh club are trying to tie up the deal before sanctioning the £20m departure of forward Andre Ayew to West Ham.

Swansea City are now in the market to sign a new striker following the departures of Bafetimbi Gomis, Eder and Alberto Paloschi this summer and the likes of Leonardo Ulloa (BBC), Peter Crouch (The Sun) and Wilfried Bony (The Express) have been mentioned as potential targets for the Swans in recent times.

Llorente arrives at the Liberty Stadium with a considerable pedigree, having won five major trophies at Juve – including three Serie A titles – and appeared as a substitute in the 2015 Champions League final.

With his chances thought to be limited at the Spanish club, Llorente has jumped at the chance of a move.

“It has come a long way with Swansea to reach an agreement”, he said.

“But we fully expect to make one or two additions in the next few days”.

The 28-year-old, who picked up a Premier League winner’s medal during his loan spell at Leicester City last season, joined the club from Southampton in 2009. Restricted to a secondary role, however, Llorente still managed to score seven goals in 36 appearances.