Chelsea flop Fernando Torres could be about to be shipped out on loan to AS Roma as part of an attempt to bring striker Mattia Destro the other way, according to ESPN. The Blues are keen on Destro and are reportedly prepared to use Torres as a makeweight in any deal to sign the striker from the Italian side. Torres, who has scored just 20 in 110 Premier League appearances since completing his £50 million move from Liverpool in 2011, has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the summer arrivals of Diego Costa and former player Didier Drogba. Roma are believed to be interested in rescuing the Spaniard from his nightmare at SW6, providing they can strike an agreement on his £180,000-a-week wages. And Chelsea are hoping to use their interest in snagging Destro as part of the deal. The 23-year-old enjoyed a positive season in 2013-14, but had to settle for substitute appearances and started only two full games last season. Roma have conceded the young forward can leave, and have been trying to bring in Manchester City's Stevan Jovetic as a replacement. However, they have been met with short shrift in their attempts to lure the former Forentina star back to Italy, leaving Torres as a potential target. Destro scored 13 league goals in Serie A last season and made the provisional 30-man Italy squad for the World Cup, but was cut from the final list.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
