Chelsea are set to lose out in the race to sign Jamie Vardy as Leicester City are refusing to sell the striker before Thursday’s deadline, according to reports.
The Daily Mirror claims that the Premier League champions are ready to spend £40 million on the England international, although they face strong competition from Everton as Ronald Koeman is also in the market for the new forward.
But Leicester are ready to stand firm over Vardy, who signed an improved four-year contract after rejected Arsenal’s approach last summer.
It’s reported that Chelsea and Everton believe that the 30-year-old is open to leaving Leicester, but the club will refuse to grant him a move away.
Antonio Conte is looking to bolster his attacking options before the summer window closes and Vardy would provide competition for Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi.
Chelsea are also in talks with Swansea City to sign Fernando Llorente.
Conte wanted the 32-year-old in January but Swansea refused to sell as the striker was playing a key role in their battle against relegation from the Premier League.
Llorente has played under Conte during their time together at Juventus, while in his first Premier League season last term, the Spaniard scored 15 goals for Swansea.
Chelsea are planning to sign Llorente before the window closes on Thursday but the deal hinges on whether Swansea can re-sign Wilfried Bony from Manchester City.
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