Swansea striker Fernando Llorente is in a race to be fit in time for the start of next season after breaking his arm in a cycling accident while on holiday, the Premier League club have announced.
Llorente suffered the injury on a family holiday and will now almost certainly miss all of their pre-season matches but Swansea are hopeful he will recover in time to line up against Southampton on August 12.
The former Juventus striker played a pivotal role in the club’s escape from relegation last season and it would be a huge blow for Paul Clement’s side if they didn’t have Llorente available for the start of the upcoming campaign.
“The 32-year-old suffered the accident while cycling on a family holiday, and despite it not being a serious break that requires an operation, it does mean the club will have to tailor his pre-season training accordingly,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“The club remain optimistic that he will be available for selection for the first game of the Premier League season against Southampton on Saturday, August 12.”
Llorente was linked with a move to Chelsea in January where he would reunite with former Juventus manager Antonio Conte and there have been quiet suggestions the Premier League champions would move for the experienced striker once again this summer.
However, it remains to be seen whether this injury will end Chelsea’s interest given he would not be able to train with the first-team during pre-season.
Llorente scored 15 goals in his maiden Premier League campaign last season after joining from Sevilla for an undisclosed fee last summer, which represents his his best league-campaign in front of goal since scoring 16 goals for Juventus in 2013/14.
Furthermore, only Christian Benteke scored as many headed goals in the Premier League last season as the Swansea No.9 (7).
For more stats on Fernando Llorente, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
