Quote :

Roman jets out for £55m Torres
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
July 6, 2010

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to try to complete the signing of Fernando Torres, with sources telling Soccernet he is willing to pay up to £55 million.

Liverpool are believed to value Torres at around £70 million and refused to respond to speculation over his future until they had a new manager in place. Now Roy Hodgson has succeeded Rafa Benitez, he is evaluating the situation regarding five big-name stars at Anfield who are reviewing their own futures.

Torres has made it clear that he is focusing on the World Cup, but with the tournament drawing to a close, talks between all the interested parties are believed to be underway.

Barcelona are also reported to be interested but they are struggling to raise the funds. Torres himself is also unsure he wants to return to Spain at the moment.

A well-placed source told Soccernet: "Abramovich has authorised the bid of £50 million, and he's not expected to go much higher than that ... [but] I would think he might go to £55 million.

"Without any other creditable bidder, he sees no reason to go any higher. It's quite clear that Liverpool could get more from Manchester City, and the player could earn more from Manchester City, but the player doesn't want to go there. He wants Champions League football and the chance to win the major honours which he can do at Chelsea.2

The final cost were Torres to move to Stamford Bridge could top £100 million, as Chelsea will make the striker the highest paid player in the Premier League topping £200,000-a-week with his bonuses. A five-year contract would be worth £50 million to the player.

Sauce

Hope this doesn't happen. Chelsea would look really strong with lady boy upfront

Would strengthen Chelsea up front. Drogba and Torres together could be formidable.

That would make a good strike force.
Torres and Drogba....woah! that would be like one the best pair playing upfront.

Yesh, if this does happen Chelsea will kick ass

Thats a terrible news, damn.

Vishal16 wrote:

That would make a good strike force.
Torres and Drogba....woah! that would be like one the best pair playing upfront.

Chelsea don't really play well with two up front. They're strength is their midfield and thus they pack it in with Drogba being the awesome front man. Carlo tried to change it with the diamond but soon realised it doesn't work well and shifted Anelka wide and giving Lampard the license to bomb forward and score goals which worked fantastically well. So don't really think buying Torres would mean they'll switch to two up front. Although Drogba is ageing now (no signs so far though) and it's wise of them to get a quality striker which Torres is.

I don't really think it's the fearsome twosome that's the thread, it's just that Torres being a bloody awesome player (when fit) that worries me as Chelsea already have a very good team.