Planet Swans ArchivesWhen the January transfer window came around it looked exceptionally likely that the Swans would lose the services of Llorente with Chelsea showing a strong interest in taking the Spanish striker to boost their title challenge.
Indeed, the replacements were well under discussion with strong rumours suggesting that Michy Batshuyai would be heading in the opposite direction as a sweetener for the deal.
But the deal never happened and Llorente has found the back of the net eight times since the turn of the year, vital goals that contributed largely to the Swans ultimately successful fight against relegation.
Llorente picked up three awards at the end of season players dinner on Wednesday night – top goalscorer, best newcomer and goal of the season for his second goal in the famous win at Anfield back in January.
And with the season ready to close after tomorrow’s game against West Brom, Llorente has given his reasons as to why he turned down the eventual champions back in January.
He said: “I know Chelsea wanted me in January. I said straight away that I wanted to stay here. We were fighting relegation, there was a cause. I could not go.
“If a big club comes in for me in the future who knows because every player wants to play for a big club. But I am very, very happy here.
“I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and I truly believe it is the best league in the world.
“It is an intense league and it has been a hard season because I am used to winning. But it is also very rewarding when you achieve in this intense situation that we had here.”
One of the challenges the Swans now face is whether they can keep Llorente at the club for next season but for now let’s enjoy the last 90 minutes of this season and if it is the last time we see Llorente in the white shirt then we can be thankful for what he has given us this season.
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