Inter Milan now prefer Fernando Llorente over Olivier Giroud — report

According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has dropped to second place once again on Inter Milan’s transfer shortlist, as Napoli’s Fernando Llorente retakes the lead.

Inter and Napoli are still working out details of Matteo Politano’s transfer, with Inter once again trying to include Llorente as part-exchange in their final arrangement. Conte has been wanting Llorente for some time, including his during his tenure at Chelsea, and Llorente would likely be a cheaper option than the €5-8m being asked by Chelsea for Giroud. (Not that Inter are hurting for funds after selling Gabriel Barbosa to Flamengo for €16.5m.)

Unfortunately for them, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis isn’t keen on letting go of Llorente. So they might have to pay up for Giroud, who has just five months left on his contract.

This situation surely will change a few more times in the next three days before the January transfer window ends, and could very well impact what Chelsea themselves might or might not do. (Maybe Giroud can score a few goals for us instead in the second half of the season?)