There have been intense rumours linking Fernando Torres with an exit from Chelsea as the transfer window approaches its end. Torres had been looking certain to stay at Chelsea this season after Jose Mourinho said on several occasions that he would like to keep the Spaniard despite his poor form. However, new transfer rumours have emerged linking Torres with a move to Roma with their striker Mattia Destro moving in the opposite direction. Torres has been a major disappointment since his £ 50 million transfer from Liverpool and there have been no signs that he is likely to find his former glory days.
The 30-year-old has missed some sitters during the pre-season friendly matches. He is likely to be the second choice striker behind Diego Costa, who has come to the club for £ 32 million. Costa made his mark and showed what Chelsea were missing in the last three years by scoring a striker’s goal against Burnley in the opening weekend. Mattia Destro, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the promising strikers in Italian football after scoring 13 goals in 20 matches last season. However, it is quite possible that manager Rudi Garcia may not start with Destro on a regular basis. A swap deal, though, has been rejected by the agent of Destro.
"It's true that Chelsea are interested in Mattia. But the reports regarding a swap deal have no foundation, it's all speculation. Roma don't want to sell Mattia and Mattia prefers to remain at Roma," said the player’s agent, Renzo Contratto. At just 23 years of age, Destro will compliment Chelsea’s current crop of strikers, Diego Costa and Didier Drogba. Drogba is widely believed to be a stopgap solution before Chelsea find a suitable replacement for Torres to act as the backup for Costa. Destro would cost around £ 20 million.