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Torres 'open' to Blues move


Sky Sports understands that Fernando Torres has asked Liverpool to consider selling him to Chelsea after a bid was rejected in the early hours of Friday morning.

The Blues have been admirers of the Spain striker for some time and it has now emerged that they made an audacious attempt to sign him.

The offer, believed to be around £35million, was immediately turned down by the Reds, who insisted Torres 'is not for sale'.

Reports have claimed that Chelsea will return with an improved offer before Monday's deadline to further test Liverpool's resolve.

And Sky Sports' Spanish expert Guillem Balague understands Torres has asked Liverpool to listen to Chelsea's bid.

It is thought that Torres would like the opportunity to embark on a new challenge with the reigning Premier League champions after three-and-a-half years at Anfield.

No release clause
Liverpool have endured a disappointing past couple of seasons and Torres is keen to play for a club that is challenging for major honours.

The final decision will rest with the Reds though, with Balague insisting there is no release clause in Torres' contract following suggestions that an offer of £50million would trigger a transfer.

Liverpool have made their position clear and it remains to be seen whether Torres' apparent wishes will be taken into consideration.

The 26-year-old has cut a forlorn figure at times this season but appears revitalised under new manager Kenny Dalglish and is returning to something approaching his best form.

Chelsea are keen to partner him with Didier Drogba in what be a formidable strikeforce and Torres reportedly hopes the two clubs will start to negotiate.

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Ancelotti quiet on Torres bid


Carlo Ancelotti has attempted to steer around Chelsea's failed bid to land Liverpool's Fernando Torres.

The Blues saw a sizeable offer, believed to be in the region of £35million, knocked back by their Premier League rivals on Friday.

Torres may yet be lured away from Anfield, though, with reports suggesting he has urged Liverpool to consider Chelsea's approach.

That could lead to an improved offer being made, but for now Ancleotti is keen to avoid discussing the issue.

He said: "I don't want to speak about this, you will have to ask the club. He is not my player and I have to have respect for Liverpool. I don't like to speak about this."

While reluctant to divulge details regarding his chase for Torres, Ancelotti admits he is happy to see the club's board backing him in the transfer market.

Improving
He added: "I'm not surprised, because I know very well what the club is doing now.

"I am happy because the club is doing a fantastic job in this transfer market. The club is trying to do everything to improve the squad."

Ancelotti has also played down any suggestion that a move for Torres has been influenced by Didier Drogba's recent dip in form.

The Italian insists Drogba remains a key part of his plans and will not be replaced any time soon.

He said: "Drogba doesn't have a problem. He can play with anybody.

"For tomorrow I don't need more strikers. Maybe in the future, I don't know."

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Fernando Torres tells Liverpool to talk to Chelsea

Fernando Torres has told Liverpool to sit down and negotiate with Chelsea, having reached the point at which he believes that a departure from Anfield is now the right move for his career. With four days of the winter transfer window remaining the striker is aware that time is running out but he does not want to miss out on the opportunity to join Chelsea for a second time. He has urged the Fenway Sports Group to broker an agreement that is good for both player and club. There is not, however, a clause that will allow Torres to unilaterally break his contract in this transfer window.

Chelsea made a bid for Torres during the summer but the striker was told that he would not be able to depart with the club undergoing a sales process. The price quoted for his transfer was so high as to be simply a symbolic "not for sale" sign. At the time, Torres sought assurances that he would be able to depart in the future, should an acceptable bid be made and he consider a move necessary. Those discussions were held with the then managing director Christian Purslow who has now left the club – and no written legal clause was signed.

Torres also wanted assurances over the future of the club when Liverpool were taken over by the new owners. Torres's camp believes that promises have been broken. Liverpool are not the club that Torres joined and the striker is pessimistic over the future and his patience has worn thin with the absence of investment or activity since the takeover. Roy Hodgson's departure and the appointment of Kenny Dalglish was a step in the right direction but is not enough. Liverpool have only made one significant move in the transfer window, for the Uruguay striker Luis Suárez.

It is now a case of Liverpool convincing Torres not to go. The striker can see little real argument to continue at Anfield. Although there is no plan to force a move through and despite the recognition that Liverpool could block the move, Torres believes that an immediate departure is the best solution. Liverpool's decision to announce the bid could be interpreted as an attempt to flush Torres out and force him to push for an exit.

If he were to join Chelsea, Torres would be eligible to play in the Champions League. He is hopeful of Liverpool recognising that his departure could be good for all concerned. Liverpool signed Torres for £23m; they could make more than £20m in profit if they were to sell now. Indeed, it is the money from a Torres deal that could unlock the funds necessary to make an improved bid to clinch Suárez.

Liverpool have reopened talks with Ajax over Suárez this afternoon and, it is believed, made a breakthrough over a transfer fee for the Uruguay international. Ajax rejected a £12.8m offer from Liverpool for their captain this week and had insisted on €30m (£25.8m) for the deal to happen. Suárez has told the coach, Frank De Boer, that he wishes to leave Amsterdam for Merseyside and, mindful that his value will drop if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League, Ajax are now understood to be open to a compromise fee with Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, refused to be drawn on his club's bid for Fernando Torres but said he was happy that "the club are trying to do everything they can to improve the squad". But Ancelotti added: "I don't want to speak about this, you will have to ask the club. He is not my player and I have to have respect for Liverpool. I don't like to speak about this."

Ancelotti had previously intimated that the club's protracted pursuit of the Benfica defender David Luiz would be their only major move of the January transfer window. Asked if the Torres bid had therefore caught him by surprise, he said: "I'm not surprised, because I know very well what the club is doing now. I am happy because the club is doing a fantastic job in this transfer market. The club is trying to do everything to improve the squad."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/ja...nsfer-liverpool

Chelsea prepare to move in as Liverpool striker Fernando Torres demands move to Stamford Bridge


Kenny Dalglish has told Fernando Torres that he will not be sold in the January transfer window even though the striker has asked to leave Liverpool and join Chelsea who are preparing an improved offer this weekend.

The revelation that Torres has, according to sources, “verbally intimated” he wants to quit the club now has shocked Liverpool but they are determined not to sell before the window closes on Monday.

Torres has urged Liverpool to open negotiations with Chelsea who are planning to increase their initial cash bid of just £28 million – not, as had been thought, £35 million – and offer striker Daniel Sturridge. The revelation may also lead to a backlash against the striker which could, ironically, lead to his exit.

Torres outlined his feelings to Liverpool in a meeting on Thursday, after Chelsea’s bid was rejected. Although he stopped short of formally asking to leave Liverpool or submitting a written transfer request, it is understood that he has made it clear that he wants to go. This has irritated the Merseyside club, who are adamant they will not sell.

Chelsea are insistent that they want to buy Torres now rather than in the summer — when Liverpool may be willing to sell as they will have more time to rebuild — having been given the encouragement that the Spanish international wants to join them.

Talks with middle men are believed to have taken place with his representatives earlier this week, which led to Chelsea lodging a formal offer which was promptly rejected. However Chelsea do not believe this is the end of the matter and remain hopeful that they can land the 26 year-old before the transfer window closes on Monday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...ord-Bridge.html

LFC reject Torres transfer request

Liverpool FC have confirmed that Fernando Torres has on Friday evening submitted a transfer request. The request has been rejected.

The Club said in a statement: "Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool.

"Fernando is under a long-term contract and the Club expects him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement."

www.liverpoolfc.tv

Reds reject Torres request


Liverpool have rejected a transfer request from Fernando Torres after the striker was the subject of a failed bid from Chelsea.

Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea saw a £35million offer for the Spain international turned down by Liverpool, who insisted Torres was not for sale.

Sky Sports News later revealed that Torres was 'open' to the possibility of joining Chelsea and was keen for his current club to consider selling him.

The former Atletico Madrid starlet has now asked to be allowed to move to Stamford Bridge, only for his request to be turned down by Liverpool.

The Reds have reiterated their stance that they do not want to lose Torres and have urged the 26-year-old to honour his contract at Anfield.

A club statement read: "Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request which was rejected by Liverpool.

"Fernando is under long-term contract and the club expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool and its supporters when he signed the agreement."

Torres joined Liverpool from Atletico in 2007 and he has scored 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances for the club.

He has struggled for form and fitness this season after picking up an injury during the World Cup with Spain and his attitude has been questioned on occasion.

However, Torres appeared to be showing signs of his previous prowess in recent weeks after Kop legend Kenny Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson as manager.

Dalglish now has the task of trying to convince Torres that his long-term future lies on Merseyside following Chelsea's bid just days before the close of the transfer window.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti refused to discuss Torres at his press conference on Friday and it remains to be seen if his club will make another bid before Monday's deadline.

Torres' desire to leave the Reds dampens the enthusiasm generated by the announcement earlier in the day that a £22million-plus fee had been agreed with Ajax for Uruguay international striker Luis Suarez.

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why keep someone who doesnt want to be there just let him go im sick of him his over-rated and all he does is moan at refs money grabber he will lose alot of respect now at least now we see who the true lfc fans are who support the club no matter who comes and goes i've been a fan all my life its going to stay that way

Reds await new Torres bid


Liverpool are bracing themselves for a renewed bid from Chelsea for Fernando Torres after turning down a transfer request from the striker.

The Anfield club rejected Torres' request and then told the Spain forward they expect him to honour his contract.

Speculation had been rife about the 26-year-old's future after the club turned down a £35million bid from Chelsea.

Just hours after the Reds concluded a deal with Ajax for their Uruguay forward Luiz Suarez, Torres handed in his request.

It was rejected and the player was reminded of his previous pledge to the club.

"Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool," said a club statement.

"Fernando is under long-term contract and the club expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement."

Barely had news of the Suarez deal, worth up to £22.8million for the Dutch club, filtered out then speculation began to increase about Torres.

It had been hoped the capture of the Uruguayan would provide the necessary evidence that owners Fenway Sports Group were serious about investing in the squad and convince star names they could have a successful future at Anfield.

Commitment
However, it appears the 26-year-old's mind had already been made up to ask to leave in the wake of Chelsea's bid even though he has a contract until the end of 2013.

The Stamford Bridge side have tried to sign Torres before but the striker put an end to the speculation spoke publicly of his feelings for the club on August 3, saying: "My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed.

"I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."

It is those comments which the club have now turned back on the player, insisting they have no desire to allow him to leave.

Their statement also, quite cleverly, leans heavily on the elevated position the Spaniard has with the supporters, who have adored their number nine since the day he signed in July 2007.

The timing of Torres' request is odd, just three days before the close of the transfer window, and that could act in Liverpool's favour as they desperately try to hold on to their star striker.

Even if Chelsea return with an improved bid the Merseysiders will reject it and then can stall and frustrate any other attempts to manufacture a move, knowing there is very little time left for pressure to build.

Manager Kenny Dalglish is scheduled to hold his pre-match press conference on Monday - deadline day - but he is likely to have done plenty of talking behind the scenes before he faces the media.

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Lampard drops Torres hint


Frank Lampard has hinted he is keen for Chelsea to up their offer for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Sky Sports News understands the Premier League champions are set to further test Liverpool's resolve by lanching a fresh £40million bid for the Spain international with the end of the January transfer window on the horizon.

The Anfield club turned down Chelsea's £35million bid late on Thursday night and then told the player they expect him to honour his long-term contract.

Rejected
However, just hours after the Reds concluded a deal with Ajax for their Uruguay forward Luiz Suarez, Torres handed in a written transfer request which was rejected by the Merseysiders.

Midfielder Lampard admits any player of Torres' calibre would be 'very welcome' at Stamford Bridge.

"Players of a top, top level and world-class players will always help your squad," Lampard said.

"It remains to be seen what happens with the club - who they bring in and who the manager wants to bring in - but they'll always be very welcome from us."

The January window will slam shut at 11pm on Monday evening and the debate over star striker Torres' future is sure to continue until his future is decided.

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Fernando Torres for £95m! Chelsea owner Roman's amazing deal to land Liverpool superstar


Chelsea will try to push through the signing of Fernando Torres on Monday with a stunning £95million transfer package they believe will trigger an escape clause in the Liverpool striker’s contract.
Roman Abramovich is ready to commit the staggering sum to secure the service of Torres, with £50m needed to activate the clause they are now confident exists.
A further £45m will be guaranteed to the 26-year-old in a five-year deal that would see him earn £175,000 a week.

Liverpool were already preparing for life without the World Cup and European Championship winner on Sunday night.
Having signed Luis Suarez, they will also try to land Ashley Young from Aston Villa and Blackpool’s Charlie Adam before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday.
Villa manager Gerard Houllier has already said Young is not for sale, and the club are trying to secure him on a new contract. However, that has not stopped new Anfield co-owner John W Henry contacting Villa owner Randy Lerner in a bid to mitigate the loss of Torres.
Liverpool will need to move fast to sign Young and Adam. But they are clearly prepared to let Torres go despite having publicly rejected the transfer request he submitted on Friday.
They will also be in a position to increase dramatically the bid for Adam after being rebuffed on
several occasions by the club’s manager Ian Holloway. They have already bid £6.5m and it is expected they will make a further offer of around £8m. Blackpool are understood to be looking for £12m.


Kenny Dalglish would still like to see Nicolas Anelka arrive from Chelsea as part of any deal — not least because, unlike Suarez, he is eligible for the Europa League — but Carlo Ancelotti is extremely reluctant to see the French striker leave Stamford Bridge when he remains such an important
member of his squad.
While Chelsea are prepared to offer a younger player, Abramovich accepts it will take a significantly increased cash offer to get the deal done before the deadline.
Having been given permission to return late from a mini-break in Spain, Torres, 26, missed the Sunday morning training session. He did, however, train alone at Melwood on Sunday afternoon, with his agents in close attendance.


The Spaniard, whose £110,000-a-week deal runs until the summer of 2013, handed in an official transfer request at the end of last week, and the two clubs have been in negotiations over the weekend.
Liverpool, who paid £21m for Torres in July 2007, may be tempted to hang on to the striker and let the transfer window close without a deal. However, they fear being left with a disillusioned star who would rather be at another club could be the worst of all worlds.
The feeling among some players in the Liverpool dressing-room is the same, with several team-mates thinking that if Torres does not want to be at the club then he should be allowed to leave.


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