Fernando Torres

[Dellas]

Liverpool's hopes of landing top target Fernando Torres hang in the balance as talks continue with Atletico Madrid over the £27m-rated striker.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo says Liverpool have not tabled a bid for the 23-year-old Spain striker.
But BBC Sport understands discussions between the clubs are ongoing and have now reached a crucial stage.
Atletico are reluctant to sell, but Torres is believed to be keen to link up with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.
Liverpool are reluctant to pay the £27m release clause in Torres' contract, and Benitez does not want to part with midfield man Luis Garcia, who is reported to be interesting Atletico.
Benitez wants to land Torres to provide a spearhead for an assault on the title - and also allow new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to demonstrate their own financial commitment to his plans.



Torres has been consistently linked with a move to England, particularly with Arsenal and Chelsea, but Liverpool are now at the head of the queue.
If he signs, he will join fellow countrymen Garcia, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso, as well as boss Benitez.
Atletico had earlier played down Liverpool's interest, with president Cerezo saying: "We've had no offer from Liverpool for Torres. He's on his holiday and resting.
"I repeat that there has been nothing about Torres from any team. We're now working to create a good team for the coming year."
Torres, 23, scored 14 league goals in 36 starts this season as Atletico finished seventh in La Liga.
The Spanish international's Atletico contract runs until 2009. Torres came up though the youth ranks at Atletico and has been their leading scorer in each of the last five seasons.

source: BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Liverpool step up move for Torres

If he does come to Liverpool/ England will he be able to adapt to the premiership or will he be a flop??

[hanuma]

He'll be the same as he was in La Liga, overrated, inconsistent. Occasionally brilliant, often useless. Admittedly I'm not exactly pushing the boat out, Nostradamus style with this prediction, but that's probably a good thing.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I'm a bit confused here.Why do not Benitez want to includ Garcia in a deal?He can't expect Athletico to do all on Liverpool terms.Someone have to be sacrificed here.Rafa should know that.He only offer crap like Cisse to go the opposite way.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Torres Liverpool switch stalled by £2.5m pay-off

Liverpool's record bid for Fernando Torres is being held up by the Atletico Madrid striker's £2.5m pay-off clause.

Anfield chief Rafa Benitez has agreed to pay £25m for the 23-year-old Spanish international.

But Torres is entitled to 10 per cent of any fee and Atletico insist Liverpool should pay it.

The Premiership outfit are adamant the cash should come out of the transfer pot and want it knocked off the price.

But Atletico president Enrique Cerezo wants Torres' full valuation to be met.

He told The Sun: "Every player has a price and if they pay the transfer clause there is nothing we can do to stop Torres leaving.

"But at the moment what is certain is that there is nothing going on with Torres and any other club."

Benitez's own agent Garcia Quilon is trying to broker a deal and Liverpool are confident they will get their man.

Torres, who has hit 82 goals in 212 games, is keen to move to England and is ready to tell Atletico he wants out in a bid to break the deadlock.

Liverpool would like to make it a players-plus-cash deal. They are ready to include Djibril Cisse and Luis Garcia in a bid to keep their financial outlay as low as possible.

Cisse, 25, who has been on loan at Marseille and is still interesting the French club, has a holiday home in Spain.

Garcia, 29, missed much of last season with a knee injury but was a huge hit in a spell at Atletico five years ago.

Source: The Daily Mail

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

I'm a bit confused here.Why do not Benitez want to includ Garcia in a deal?He can't expect Athletico to do all on Liverpool terms.Someone have to be sacrificed here.Rafa should know that.He only offer crap like Cisse to go the opposite way.

Because Atletico don't want him?

[russe||]

Originally Posted by hanuma

He'll be the same as he was in La Liga, overrated, inconsistent. Occasionally brilliant, often useless. Admittedly I'm not exactly pushing the boat out, Nostradamus style with this prediction, but that's probably a good thing.

He'll just love Liverpool's style of football too.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Torres has tattooed "You'll never walk alone" on his arm so I guess he want to join Liverpool.

[russe||]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Torres has tattooed "You'll never walk alone" on his arm so I guess he want to join Liverpool.

Surely you are taking the piss?

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I know you think he fancy a move to Celtic.

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by russe||

Surely you are taking the piss?

it is a rumour that was on the bbc website (I doubt it is true tho.)

[Sven]

It wasn't a tatoo it was the CPT arm band, his friend "Alonso" brought for him, that slipped off that had the saying you never walk alone on.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I know you all think (you hope) Torres not will be able to adapt to the premiership or flop all beacue he won't join Chelsea or Liverpool.If he had join United or Chelsea he would be one of the greatest striker in the world.

[Sven]

I don't want him, he nothing compared to Drogba, who can do everything Torres can do but better.

He's be deffent improvment for you over Fowler and Bellamy.

[kennethlindheim]

I think the fee is stupid money for someone who scores more penalties than actuall goals. He is a good player, but the fee is well over the top.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

He's not the first player who got a tag well over the top but to have him Liverpool have to pay well.If they want success they must invest a lot of money to get quality.Torres is quality at young age.If he wants to take a step forward he should move to Anfield.