http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=man-city-line-up-pound-100m-bid-for-fernando-torres&method=full&objectid=21991160&siteid=93463-name_page.html
24 January 2010
Man City line up £100m bid for Fernando Torres
Steve Bates
Manchester City are preparing to stun the football world this summer with a staggering £100million bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
In a move that will eclipse Manchester United's £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid last summer, City will flex their financial muscles and smash the transfer record for a player regarded as the best forward in the game.
And if 25-year-old Torres moves to Eastlands he'll become the first star to earn a £200,000-a-week salary in a deal that could net him £50m over five years.
Those are the astonishing figures being assembled by City chiefs who are determined to land the stellar signing who will form the figurehead of their drive to join the world's elite clubs.
Chief executive Garry Cook failed to entice former AC Milan star Kaka to Manchester exactly a year ago in a deal that would have been worth £100m.
Now though, City believe their increased profile and their intended aim of becoming a major power in the game is being taken seriously - and the time is right to turn that ambition into reality.
Blockbuster New boss Roberto Mancini has impressed City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak so much, he has already been told that if City clinch a Champions League place the club will back him with a blockbuster signing.
The word around Eastlands is that player will be Torres - with Mancini knowing a world class striker is the key to City becoming a major force in Europe once they have qualified for the Champions League.
City's interest in Torres will be a damning blow for Liverpool who have encountered major problems on and off the pitch this season.
Kop boss Rafa Benitez will fight hard to keep Torres at Anfield and may even make a stand by saying he'll walk if the Spain international is sold.
But even Benitez will recognise it would be hard for Liverpool's warring owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to refuse a bid approaching £100m - especially with the club desperate for a fresh injection of cash.
Benitez still insists Liverpool's experience and pedigree means they can fight off competition from City, Aston Villa and Spurs and clinch fourth place this season.
But if they don't finish fourth Liverpool will be more vulnerable than ever to a huge City bid for Torres.
24 January 2010
Man City line up £100m bid for Fernando Torres
Steve Bates
Manchester City are preparing to stun the football world this summer with a staggering £100million bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
In a move that will eclipse Manchester United's £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid last summer, City will flex their financial muscles and smash the transfer record for a player regarded as the best forward in the game.
And if 25-year-old Torres moves to Eastlands he'll become the first star to earn a £200,000-a-week salary in a deal that could net him £50m over five years.
Those are the astonishing figures being assembled by City chiefs who are determined to land the stellar signing who will form the figurehead of their drive to join the world's elite clubs.
Chief executive Garry Cook failed to entice former AC Milan star Kaka to Manchester exactly a year ago in a deal that would have been worth £100m.
Now though, City believe their increased profile and their intended aim of becoming a major power in the game is being taken seriously - and the time is right to turn that ambition into reality.
Blockbuster New boss Roberto Mancini has impressed City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak so much, he has already been told that if City clinch a Champions League place the club will back him with a blockbuster signing.
The word around Eastlands is that player will be Torres - with Mancini knowing a world class striker is the key to City becoming a major force in Europe once they have qualified for the Champions League.
City's interest in Torres will be a damning blow for Liverpool who have encountered major problems on and off the pitch this season.
Kop boss Rafa Benitez will fight hard to keep Torres at Anfield and may even make a stand by saying he'll walk if the Spain international is sold.
But even Benitez will recognise it would be hard for Liverpool's warring owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to refuse a bid approaching £100m - especially with the club desperate for a fresh injection of cash.
Benitez still insists Liverpool's experience and pedigree means they can fight off competition from City, Aston Villa and Spurs and clinch fourth place this season.
But if they don't finish fourth Liverpool will be more vulnerable than ever to a huge City bid for Torres.
