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Torres could leave Chelsea for Roma on loan

ESPN staff
August 21, 2014
Cech future unclear

Fernando Torres could reportedly be on his way out of Chelsea as part of a swap deal for coveted Roma striker Mattia Destro.

According to The Times, Chelsea are keen to sign Italy forward Destro - who is valued at £20 million - with Torres going the other way on loan for the season.

Fernando Torres could leave Chelsea on loan for the season © Getty Images
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Torres, who has scored just 20 goals in 110 Premier League appearances since moving to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool for £50m in 2011, has fallen down the Chelsea pecking order this summer following the arrival of £32m Diego Costa and the return of Didier Drogba.

Roma are believed to be interested in securing a move for Torres, provided they can reach an agreement on his £180,000-a-week wages.

The Times reports that Roma director Walter Sabatini and general manager Mauro Baldissoni travelled to London in an effort to complete a deal.

Sabatini is said to have tried to tempt Chelsea and Manchester United into buying Destro's team-mate Mehdi Benatia on a prior visit to London at the weekend, while also looking for a replacement for the defender.

Roma have conceded that Destro could leave, and had been hoping to bring Stevan Jovetic back to Italy, though the former Fiorentina forward wants to stay at Manchester City, leaving Torres as a possible target.

Destro scored 13 league goals in Serie A last season and has been capped by Italy at all levels. He was named in the provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup before being cut from the final list.

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