Mancini: Every club in Europe would want Torres

[El Nino]

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted every club in Europe would be interested in signing Fernando Torres if Liverpool indicated they were ready to sell their star man.

City were linked with a £60 million bid for the Spain striker on Thursday and it is anticipated the club will make a firm bid for him once the season is over. However, Mancini admits there would be competition if they made a move.

''Fernando Torres is a fantastic striker,'' Mancini said. ''But all the teams in Europe are interested in him. We must get the rest of the matches out of the way first, then we will decide about other players.''

Having failed to land a couple of other high-profile targets in Kaka and John Terry, City are aware they need to offer high-class competition as well as huge salaries if they are to lure the best players to Eastlands.

''All the top players want to play in the Champions League,'' Mancini said. ''Next year we want to be a team who wins the Premier League. To do that we need top players.''

Meanwhile, Mancini insisted there were no ongoing problems with Craig Bellamy, despite reports earlier this week of a rift between the fiery Wales striker and the Italian.

''I continue to read that I have a problem with Craig Bellamy,'' he said. ''This is false. I do not have any problems with him. If I did, he wouldn't play. I respect him. He works very well and always gives 100%.''


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=775134&sec=transfers&cc=5901

 

[manwithnoname]

If Torres joined Man Shitty I'd hate him forever

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

If Torres joined anyone, throwing the towel in after one bad season, given he's hardly played then he can go and get fucked. And toos that 'armband' in the bin.

 

[Sunny]

I can't ever see him joining City.

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

He won't go this summer. He has unfinished business. As for next year, depends how shit we are. Another repeat of this season will end in tears and lots of waving.

 

[The Slugmonster]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39903.msg1091757#msg1091757 date=1271964059]
If Torres joined anyone, throwing the towel in after one bad season, given he's hardly played then he can go and get fucked. And toos that 'armband' in the bin.
[/quote]

with you every step of the way on this one!

 

[SaintGeorge67]

[quote author=El Nino link=topic=39903.msg1091736#msg1091736 date=1271963311]
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted every club in Europe would be interested in signing Fernando Torres if Liverpool indicated they were ready to sell their star man.
[/quote]

Except Athletic Bilbao.

 

[Judge Jules]

In other news, researchers have discovered that every man in Europe would jump Kate Beckinsale if she walked naked into his bedroom.

What a king-sized helping of f'ck all this "story" is.

 

[Bernowatson]

Anyone who is anyone can tell that Torres wouldnt leave us to go to Man City.

Its just wanky paper talk.

Fuck me, the story started with the Daily Star for fuck sake....... Doesnt that say it all really?

Mancini can fuckin wish all he likes. They better get the bid in quick, but I dont think it will make a jot of difference if we have some investment on the horizon.

I reckon its more likely Stevie G will leave than Torres right now. And the chances of that are very slim.

I just want the season to end, fuck Rafa off, get new owners, new manager and wipe the slate clean for the last 3 years of LFC going backwards.

 

[franklyfrank]

[quote author=Bernowatson link=topic=39903.msg1091998#msg1091998 date=1271972174]
Anyone who is anyone can tell that Torres wouldnt leave us to go to Man City.

Its just wanky paper talk.

Fuck me, the story started with the Daily Star for fuck sake....... Doesnt that say it all really?

Mancini can fuckin wish all he likes. They better get the bid in quick, but I dont think it will make a jot of difference if we have some investment on the horizon.

I reckon its more likely Stevie G will leave than Torres right now. And the chances of that are very slim.

I just want the season to end, fuck Rafa off, get new owners, new manager and wipe the slate clean for the last 3 years of LFC going backwards.
[/quote]

Apart from the bit when we were 3 points off being Champions but yeah i agree.

 

[Bernowatson]

[quote author=franklyfrank link=topic=39903.msg1092005#msg1092005 date=1271972850]
[quote author=Bernowatson link=topic=39903.msg1091998#msg1091998 date=1271972174]
Anyone who is anyone can tell that Torres wouldnt leave us to go to Man City.

Its just wanky paper talk.

Fuck me, the story started with the Daily Star for fuck sake....... Doesnt that say it all really?

Mancini can fuckin wish all he likes. They better get the bid in quick, but I dont think it will make a jot of difference if we have some investment on the horizon.

I reckon its more likely Stevie G will leave than Torres right now. And the chances of that are very slim.

I just want the season to end, fuck Rafa off, get new owners, new manager and wipe the slate clean for the last 3 years of LFC going backwards.
[/quote]

Apart from the bit when we were 3 points off being Champions but yeah i agree.
[/quote]

No ones remembers losers mate. If we win UEFA cup this year we will be remembered more for that than finishing 2nd in the league.

 

[localny]

I feel like a greasy guy has just told me how gorgeous my missus is, and if we ever break up......

I feel like crying. NO CL next year. FUCK

 

[TheBunnyman]

This story in itself isn't too worrying, but there do seem to be a lot of rumours about Torres thinking of moving elsewhere. A huge amount will depend on what happens in the boardroom this summer, but I really really hope Torres hasn't played his last game in a Liverpool shirt.

 

[TheBunnyman]

This is the Guardian's (more detailed) version of the Mancini interview:

Manchester City line up £50m Fernando Torres to front title challenge

• Mancini confirms City interest in Liverpool striker
• Di María also on Eastlands shopping list

Fernando Torres is believed to have some reservations regarding his future at Liverpool and could be open to a move to Manchester CIty. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Roberto Mancini has laid down a marker for what promises to be another summer of huge spending at Manchester City by confirming that he would like to sign Fernando Torres and speaking openly about the club's chances of persuading the Liverpool striker to leave Anfield.

Mancini said signing a player of Torres's quality could be the catalyst to inspire City to mount a sustained challenge for next season's Premier League title, and he described the Spaniard as belonging to an elite group of footballers including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Torres is known to be questioning his future at Anfield because of the way the club have regressed this season and Mancini spoke of the importance of City, currently fifth in the Premier League, breaking into the top four to help convince one of their principal transfer targets that moving to Eastlands would not be a downward step. "We are a top team and I think all the top teams are interested in Torres but sometimes it depends on the player because they want to play in the Champions League," he said. "If we don't get into the fourth position I think it will be difficult."

Explaining his reasons for identifying Torres, Mancini said: "For me, he is with Carlos [Tevez], [Wayne] Rooney, [Lionel] Messi, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, [Cristiano] Ronaldo as the best in Europe. Fernando is a fantastic striker; all the teams in Europe would like him."

Nonetheless, City are one of the few who could afford to make Liverpool an offer in excess of £50m, as well as making Torres the highest paid player in English football, with a weekly salary of about £200,000. Asked if City had an advantage over Torres's other suitors, Mancini replied. "Probably."

For a manager to be so open about his interest in a player is unusual but the Italian was speaking in the knowledge that Torres is open-minded to the idea.

When City looked into his potential availability last summer the message from Torres's representatives was that the Spain international was not interested. That, however, changed to a "maybe" when the same calls were made in January and senior officials from Eastlands have been back in touch over the past fortnight.

Asked about City's intentions tonight, the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, seemed unperturbed. "We've said repeatedly that Fernando is not for sale and he still has three years of his contract remaining. So how can they sign a player who does not wish to leave?" he said.

Liverpool are seventh, with only an outside chance of the Champions League, and City are hoping to capitalise on what could be a disruptive summer at Anfield, with the club up for sale and Benítez being linked with the Juventus job.

Mancini was asked whether City stood a better chance of signing Torres if Benítez were to leave Anfield. "I saw in the newspapers in Italy that Benítez was going to Juventus but I don't know if it's true or false," he said. I think if Benítez goes to Juventus, Benítez will get one, two or three players of his own [from Liverpool]. I have read that Liverpool have to sell one or two players but I don't know what their situation is exactly." Asked if he felt confident that Liverpool would sell, he said: "I don't know this."

Mancini went on to confirm City's long-standing interest in Benfica's Argentina winger Ãngel di María, as revealed in the Guardian last November. "It's the same situation with Torres. Di Maria is a good player and, in the future, we'll see."

Representatives of Ronaldinho, the former world footballer of the year, are also understood to be planning to sound out City to see if there is any interest in arranging a deal with Milan. That idea has not yet taken off but, in the face of further questions about Torres, Mancini addressed the club's desire to bring in a recognised superstar, having failed in the past with a world-record £92m offer for Kaká, then of Milan. "I think we must buy a top player," he said. "We must make sure we don't spend too much on normal [average] players but if there is the possibility to spend the money on top players, young players who can help us build a future, I think it is OK.

"If we want to win the Premier League ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United we must sign some important players. All the top players want to play in the Champions League. But next season I want to win the Premier League; this is my desire even ahead of the Champions League, and I want players to understand that Manchester City are an important project for the future and that they can come here – [and] not only if we get fourth position."

 

[Halmeister]

I'd actually give up on football if Man fucking City pluck Torres away.

£50 million is also a laughable figure. If you want him, you horrible twats, bidding starts at £100 million.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Yeah, too right. £50 million is nowhere near enough.
Hope he stays obv.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=39903.msg1092196#msg1092196 date=1272017692]

£50 million is also a laughable figure. If you want him, you horrible twats, bidding starts at £100 million.
[/quote]

Exactly.

They bid a crazy amount for Kaka, so if they want Torres they can at least have the decency to do the same.

 

[spider-Neil]

50m? fuck off. that wouldn't even cover his trick knee.

fernando 'el nino (el knee no!)' torres

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39903.msg1092203#msg1092203 date=1272018009]
50m? fuck off. that wouldn't even cover his trick knee.

fernando 'el nino (el knee no!)' torres
[/quote]

Ha ha, I like that one.
El knee, No!

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Matt Hughes in the Times

There have been times during this season when, with his pace visibly declining, his form compromised by injuries and his mental strength undermined by off-field turmoil, senior figures at Chelsea have regretted not accepting Manchester City’s bid for John Terry last summer. The £40million that was on the table then for a 29-year-old with a long-standing back problem will not be seen again so Chelsea missed the boat, particularly when one considers that the club’s price for rejecting City’s overtures was to give their captain a new five-year contract worth £160,000-a-week.

To many observers, Chelsea’s understandably knee-jerk reaction to the threat from Eastlands resulted in not one, but two expensive mistakes, which begs the intriguing question of whether or not Liverpool will follow their example as City attempt to sign Fernando Torres this summer.

Liverpool’s initial reaction to Roberto Mancini’s remarkably candid expression of interest yesterday was for Rafael Benitez to insist that Torres is not for sale at any price. The Spaniard had to say that and was correct to do so in no uncertain terms, but it would be remiss of his employers not to at least explore how much City are willing to pay and give some consideration to sanctioning a deal.

Every player has a price after which retaining them goes from being a statement of ambition to mere foolishness and sentimentality, with the main question in this case being whether City are willing to conjure up such a sum. Given their opening bid for Torres will be in the region of £50m it seems that their final offer could be stratospheric, beyond even the £80m Real Madrid paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.

It is difficult to overstate just how desperate City are to land a genuine world-class superstar, not only to add quality to an improving team, but to give enhanced status and legitimacy to their entire project, in the expectation that others will follow. In their own minds at least they have come close to signing Kaka, Terry and Samuel Eto’o in the past only to be disappointed, but with Liverpool beset by problems and the player reluctant to miss out on the Champions League Torres’ situation is ripe for exploitation. If City do finish fourth in the Premier League this season then it really could be a goer.

Torres is known to have reservations about joining City – he would prefer to sign for Chelsea, who bizarrely are likely to be priced out of the auction – and will not agitate for a move so Liverpool’s actions will determine the outcome of what promises to be a long-running saga. How much is too much for them to refuse? An opening bid of £50m will be dismissed out of hand, but will the club’s nerve hold if it increases to £75m, or even £100m? Liverpool would be mad not to encourage, and ultimately accept, such an outlandish offer, which could be re-used to overhaul the playing squad or shape the long-term future of the club.

Putting this in context, the Rhone Group offered £100m last month for a 34 per cent stake in the club. Now Torres is a world class striker who will always score goals – when fit – but is his value really more than a third of that of the entire club, with all its other assets, proud history and huge global fan-base? Without selling Torres or attracting additional investment the only other way Liverpool would hope to raise £100m would be to win the Champions League three years in a row, which given they are unlikely to even enter the competition next season, will not happen any time soon.

As for what they could do with the money, the possibilities are beguiling. A shrewd manager with an extensive scouting network at his disposal such as Benitez should be able to recruit half a team for £100m, while alternatively it could be used to cover one-quarter of the costs of the new stadium, or even more if they can be convinced to share with Everton. The fans would not like it, but the long-term gains could potentially outweigh the short-term outrage.

If City are prepared to offer silly money for Torres then Liverpool should bite their hands off.

 

[spider-Neil]

the current owners wouldn't turn down 100m I suspect the new owners would.

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39903.msg1092266#msg1092266 date=1272023285]
the current owners wouldn't turn down 100m I suspect the new owners would.
[/quote]

Er, how the fuck would you know, given that no one knows the identity of the new owners yet?

 

[Halmeister]

I would never in a million years trust Benitez to revamp our squad with £100 million after selling Torres. Matt Hughes is clearly insane.

 

[Richey]

I actually doubt he will go this summer unless we try to sell him. Top players rarely turn down moves if a club accepts an offer but I would like to think he knows that things might change and he hasn't given his best this year either (not his fault at all).
Mind you, this summer will have a huge affect. There are a few positive things that COULD happen but if we just carry on with the yanks in charge, Benitez moaning and limited funds being wasted I think the top players will start wondering.

 

[franklyfrank]

I'm confident Torres will be here next season but if we don't challenge for the league next season, he'll be away like a shot.

And you couldn't blame him.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=39903.msg1092270#msg1092270 date=1272023527]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39903.msg1092266#msg1092266 date=1272023285]
the current owners wouldn't turn down 100m I suspect the new owners would.
[/quote]

Er, how the fuck would you know, given that no one knows the identity of the new owners yet?

[/quote]

Because the current owners are scrabbling for cash whereas the new owners are going to have to be minted, given the purchase price they're going to have to meet.

 

[Terrier]

If they offer in excess of 110m he'll be gone - no questions asked and nothing we can do about it.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39903.msg1092295#msg1092295 date=1272025966]
If they offer in excess of 110m he'll be gone - no questions asked and nothing we can do about it.
[/quote]

Perhaps not, but he himself could refuse to go. He has a contract and can insist on the club meeting its side of that. For the moment, I think he would.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=39903.msg1092293#msg1092293 date=1272025844]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=39903.msg1092270#msg1092270 date=1272023527]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39903.msg1092266#msg1092266 date=1272023285]
the current owners wouldn't turn down 100m I suspect the new owners would.
[/quote]

Er, how the fuck would you know, given that no one knows the identity of the new owners yet?

[/quote]

Because the current owners are scrabbling for cash whereas the new owners are going to have to be minted, given the purchase price they're going to have to meet.
[/quote]

quite.

 

[LarryHagman]

What new owners?