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Swansea City’s Fernando Llorente to replace Sergio Aguero?

By James Rea

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Fernando Llorente of Swansea City celebrates scoring his sides second goal of the match during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on January 21, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Fernando Llorente of Swansea City celebrates scoring his sides second goal of the match during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on January 21, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images) /
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With question marks over the future of Sergio Aguero arising this week, Swansea’s Fernando Llorente has emerged as a potential replacement.

Llorente has scored eight goals in 21 games for relegation strugglers Swansea City, and sources close to the Spainish international’s brother report there is firm interest from Manchester City.

Chelsea appeared close to signing Llorente in the January transfer window, but the move ultimately failed to materialize. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte previously managed Llorente in his time at Juventus, and clearly still rates the striker.

In the absence of the world class Argentine, City would surely be looking for a marquee replacement.

The Spaniard would undoubtedly offer a different dimension for Pep Guardiola as well, with his strong physical attributes, aerial ability and hold up play perhaps his greatest qualities. However, is this a viable move for Manchester City?

Llorente is 31, turning 32 at the end of the month, and there is a real need to focus on building for the future at the Etihad. While Llorente’s experience would come in useful, this would not be a particularly long term move. His style of play would certainly create space for the creative players such as Kevin De Bruyne, but considering City’s possession focused style his aerial ability would largely be reserved for set pieces.

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And how would the Spanish striker match up with City’s other forward options? It would be very unlikely he would be first on the teamsheet, given Gabriel Jesus’ brilliant start to life in Manchester. If Aguero was to stay, this could well see Llorente as 3rd in the pecking order, contending with Iheanacho for a place on the bench.

If Aguero leaves, this would free up a place for Llorente to be a rotation option. However, in the absence of the world class Argentine, City would surely be looking for a marquee replacement. Man City’s other signing from Swansea, Wilfried Bony, never quite made the grade. One suspects that Fernando Llorente would end up being a signing in a similar mold.

Next: Man City's Fernandinho talks moving to RB

This doesn’t appear like a move that would benefit the club, and should instead focus elsewhere in the summer.

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