Torres agent hints at Premiership move

[Buddha]

Fernando Torres set for Liverpool exit as agent admits Premier League big boys are interested
By SIMON CASS
Last updated at 12:55 AM on 5th July 2010

Fernando Torres appeared on the verge of leaving Liverpool on Sunday night after his agent indicated the striker is bound for another Premier League club.

Chelsea are at the front of the queue to sign the Spaniard and Manchester City also showed interest before moving on to other targets when they got little encouragement from the 26-year-old.

Agent Jose Antonio Martin said: ‘It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool. We are working on his future but right now you cannot guarantee that he will stay with the English club.’

Barcelona have been linked with a move for Torres, but Martin made it clear they will not challenge Chelsea for Torres’ signature.

‘It is ruled out,’ said Martin. ‘Barcelona have signed David Villa and now they want to invest the money they have in other players.’

Sportsmail revealed in May that Torres was a £70million target for Chelsea and, despite Roy Hodgson insisting he would do all he could to keep the Spaniard and Steven Gerrard, the new Liverpool manager could offer no guarantees.

Having already sold Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea, Hodgson would prefer to raise funds for his squad rebuilding by selling the likes of Javier Mascherano and Albert Riera.

But Hodgson knows such is the state of Liverpool’s finances — their debt is £472.5m — a big offer from either Chelsea or City for Torres will be almost impossible to turn down.

Torres says talk about his future must wait until Spain’s World Cup campaign is over.

 

[Shadey]

Don't know what to think

1/ fuck it
2/ don't believe him
3/ sell him if dosn't want to play for us

 

[Portly]

When you have arguably the best striker in the world on your books, there are always going to be other clubs sniffing around trying to get him away from you. The mighty Man United had to sell Ronaldo in the end. Every player has his price.

If Torres has to go, the main task of the club officials is to maximise the selling price as this can be used to sign other players to compensate for the loss of Torres. Fortunately we have Broughton's word that all proceeds from player sales will be applied for new signings.

 

[Avmenon]

I suspect this isnt going to happen though; if it does it will make Broughton's position at the club pretty untenable since everyone will see a conspiracy.

 

[Y1]

as if we can ever trust the words of management/owners in any football club.

 

[mark1975]

If he does go I'll literally have no ounce of respect for Torres. After spending most of last season either on the sidelines or sulking on the pitch, his reluctance to commit is already starting to wear thin.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Y1 link=topic=40863.msg1131130#msg1131130 date=1278313892]
as if we can ever trust the words of management/owners in any football club.
[/quote]

I thought Porty, was being sarcastic.

 

[RolandG]

Roy is in the pounds seat now and will do what's good for the club. I'd be loathe to lose Gerrard and Torres but if Gerrard chooses to go then its his choice. He has been a great servant and ambassador of the club. My only condition if we lose our top players is that their price reflects their value. Nothing but top dollar will do.

 

[spider-Neil]

if we start the new season with torres on the books I will be amazed. all we can hope is we get the best possibe price for him, he is tied into a long contract so we shouldn't allow any potential suiters to drive the price down.

 

[manwithnoname]

Hmmm. He made it pretty clear in interviews after last season's debacle that he wanted to see (four?) quality new players at the club. A committment to building a team that will win trophies. So far, nothing's happened.

So I wouldn't be surprised if a player like Torres might think that giving us "one more year" is ultimately a waste of his time, especially as we're in the Mickey Mouse Europa Cup.

Of course, it would be nice if he showed some loyalty, out of love the club, or whatever, but I'm not sure he "owes" us really. So he was injured a lot. So what? He didn't want to be.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40863.msg1131140#msg1131140 date=1278315018]
Hmmm. He made it pretty clear in interviews after last season's debacle that he wanted to see (four?) quality new players at the club. A committment to building a team that will win trophies. So far, nothing's happened.

So I wouldn't be surprised if a player like Torres might think that giving us "one more year" is ultimately a waste of his time, especially as we're in the Mickey Mouse Europa Cup.

Of course, it would be nice if he showed some loyalty, out of love the club, or whatever, but I'm not sure he "owes" us really. So he was injured a lot. So what? He didn't want to be.
[/quote]

'owes the club a season' what's THAT all about? we paid him money, he scored us goals, the end. torres doesn't owe liverpool a thing and if he feels staying at liverpool is essentially putting his career on hold then he will leave. he left AM (his boyhood club) because he wanted to win things, if he was content with mediocrity he would have stayed were he was playing for a club he feels a much stronger emotional tie twoards than liverpool.

 

[robinhood]

He may well move, but just because his agent wouldn't mind some more money doesn't mean it's actually happening.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

The site of Neil & Brendan agreeing more and more is surely the most beautiful thing this site has experienced since Marky.

 

[TheBunnyman]

He would never be worshipped at Chelsea the way he is at Liverpool. And if he went there, I think the supporters who adore him now would really despise him. I really hope this doesn't happen and that Torres is just trying to put pressure on the owners and administrators to release transfer funds, but if he does push for a move I will consider him to be a hypocrite and a liar.

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=40863.msg1131147#msg1131147 date=1278316167]
He would never be worshipped at Chelsea the way he is at Liverpool. And if he went there, I think the supporters who adore him now would really despise him. I really hope this doesn't happen and that Torres is just trying to put pressure on the owners and administrators to release transfer funds, but if he does push for a move I will consider him to be a hypocrite and a liar.
[/quote]

What, like there's £100m lying around that they just need to be nudged into giving to Woy?

I've heard figures of £5-12m, plus players sales being available. That's it.

So unless Woy starts selling the likes of Lucas, Riera, Aquilani, Babel, Insua et al DAMN quick, and rubber-stamps Masher's £25m departure, the addition of quality players in time for Torres to see marked improvement simply isn't going to happen.

 

[Portly]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40863.msg1131132#msg1131132 date=1278313961]
I thought Porty, was being sarcastic.
[/quote]

Not at all. Broughton is a very respectable businessman (even if he is a Chelsea fan!) If he gives his word that all sale proceeds will be reinvested in new players, I think it is reasonable to take him at his word.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40863.msg1131149#msg1131149 date=1278316467]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=40863.msg1131147#msg1131147 date=1278316167]
He would never be worshipped at Chelsea the way he is at Liverpool. And if he went there, I think the supporters who adore him now would really despise him. I really hope this doesn't happen and that Torres is just trying to put pressure on the owners and administrators to release transfer funds, but if he does push for a move I will consider him to be a hypocrite and a liar.
[/quote]

What, like there's £100m lying around that they just need to be nudged into giving to Woy?

I've heard figures of £5-12m, plus players sales being available. That's it.

So unless Woy starts selling the likes of Lucas, Riera, Aquilani, Babel, Insua et al DAMN quick, and rubber-stamps Masher's £25m departure, the addition of quality players in time for Torres to see marked improvement simply isn't going to happen.
[/quote]

torres wanted to see action, with the club showing ambition and clear intent with regards to moving in the right the direction. what has he seen so far? the club no closer to being sold, yossi sold and the appointment of roy hodgson. I'm surprised he hasn't handed in his transfer resquest all ready.

 

[manwithnoname]

torres wanted to see action, with the club showing ambition and clear intent with regards to moving in the right the direction. what has he seen so far? the club no closer to being sold, yossi sold and the appointment of roy hodgson. I'm surprised he hasn't handed in his transfer resquest all ready.

Yeah, well admittedly it isn't the greatest of starts...

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Obviously we'd ideally keep him, but if he goes then we could do some serious squad strengthening with £60m-£70m added to the transfer kitty. Broughton has stated that we'd get to reinvest all of the money generated from player sales, and at this stage we have no reason to doubt him.

 

[robinhood]

We have to keep him if possible because we need goals

 

[Judge Jules]

Agreed. We'd be very, very lucky if any replacement(s) clicked into top form straight away, however expensive they may be. Otherwise it's back to N'Gog up front.

 

[Y1]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40863.msg1131132#msg1131132 date=1278313961]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=40863.msg1131130#msg1131130 date=1278313892]
as if we can ever trust the words of management/owners in any football club.
[/quote]

I thought Porty, was being sarcastic.
[/quote]

hmmm. Never knew Portly can be so sarcastic!

 

[Y1]

[quote author=Portly link=topic=40863.msg1131151#msg1131151 date=1278316693]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40863.msg1131132#msg1131132 date=1278313961]
I thought Porty, was being sarcastic.
[/quote]

Not at all. Broughton is a very respectable businessman (even if he is a Chelsea fan!) If he gives his word that all sale proceeds will be reinvested in new players, I think it is reasonable to take him at his word.
[/quote]

ah, here you are. I dont think we can trust a single word said especially when money is concerned. Long gone are the 'my word is my bond' culture of the square mile. We have to stop living in the 19th or even the 20th century.

 

[Portly]

[quote author=Y1 link=topic=40863.msg1131194#msg1131194 date=1278322109]
hmmm. Never knew Portly can be so sarcastic!
[/quote]

LOL I wasn't being sarcastic! Things have come to a pretty pass when nobody believes anything anybody at the Club says. Broughton says that the sale proceeds will all go in the kitty to buy players, and I have no reason to disbelieve him.

🙂

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Portly link=topic=40863.msg1131199#msg1131199 date=1278322562]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=40863.msg1131194#msg1131194 date=1278322109]
hmmm. Never knew Portly can be so sarcastic!
[/quote]

LOL I wasn't being sarcastic! Things have come to a pretty pass when nobody believes anything anybody at the Club says. Broughton says that the sale proceeds will all go in the kitty to buy players, and I have no reason to disbelieve him.

🙂
[/quote]

you mean like the sale proceeds of last season going into the kitty to buy players?

 

[Portly]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=40863.msg1131205#msg1131205 date=1278322939]
you mean like the sale proceeds of last season going into the kitty to buy players?
[/quote]

But I'm not talking about last season. 🙂

 

[Paddy]

Fernando Torres has backed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as Liverpool manager - and revealed he can't wait to hear the new boss's plans for next season.


El Nino is the latest senior star to give Hodgson the thumbs up, following in the footsteps of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.

Among the gaffer's top priorities over the coming days will be calling his No.9, who is one of four Liverpool players still involved in the World Cup.

Torres is looking forward to picking up the phone.

He said: "I was happy Hodgson got the job. I haven't had a chat with him yet but I will talk with him soon and we will see his ideas about the future.

"For now, my future is here. South Africa and the World Cup is too important to think about things after that.

"I have a very important week still here and after that I will have time to talk with him and talk about my future."

Torres added: "He did really well at Fulham and I am sure he can do better for Liverpool. He is a very good manager. He showed that in the past and in the last season with Fulham.

"Hopefully he will be the right man to give Liverpool the opportunity to be strong again."

Meanwhile, Torres plans to speak to clubmates Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard about Germany, who Spain will meet in their first ever World Cup semi-final this week.

The young German side overcame England 4-1 in the last 16 and have for some people been the tournament's surprise package.

"I think the German people weren't expecting them to play as good as they have been playing, but I was sure they would always be there or thereabouts," said Torres. "They are always in the final or semi-finals.

"Germany have not surprised me. I am a big fan of German football. I know all of their players.

"They are a very good team. I have spoken to Stevie and Jamie, not about Germany - but I am sure in the next few days I will."

Torres admits he has not been at his best during the finals after undergoing knee surgery at the end of last season.

But he still believes he has made a worthwhile contribution in tandem with five-goal David Villa.

"It is a difficult tournament for me because my fitness is not the best but I am improving every game," said Torres.

"I am happy with the things I did in the game against Paraguay in the quarter-finals. I am feeling better but I still have to improve - obviously.

"I have to accept my role in this tournament. I didn't arrive in the best moment, especially in terms of fitness after two lots of surgery.

"But I am happy with the things I am doing and hopefully the manager and the team is as well."

 

[StevieM]

Look.. the one thing Torres has been catagorically clear on is that nothing will be decided until after the World Cup and that he wants to see what the future holds at Liverpool.

Hodgson's future at Liverpool rests on being able to convince Torres, Gerrard & Mascherano that he and the club has something to offer in the way of satisying their personal goals. (ie winning things).

Until such point as Torres is able to sit down with Hodgson and discuss "the future" he's not making a decision, but he's reserving the right to ask for a move - and to be fair he's been pretty open about what he believes the team needs(ie 3-4 top quality signings) - so it's up to the club to either find away of somehow satisfying his needs (which con-incide with ours) or get top dollar and use the money wisely.

On the downside - I wouldn't be that fusking excited about giving Hodgeson money to spend given his record at Blackburn the last time the cheque book was opened. His Blackburn adventure went pear shapped essentially because some key players got sold, other key players got injured and he spent a relatively large sum on horrendous players... you'll see where I'm goping with this one.

The thing is, for years we've bveen saying that there's no margin for error in our summer dealings (argubably Benitez proved that there was substantial margin for error... but that's history)... but this season there really isn't. Chelsea & Man Ure are established Arsenal arereasonably strong, Man City have more resources than anyone and Spurs actually have a decent squad (although I think they'll struggle to repeat last years feats).

Last year was the beginning and it's going to get harder and harder and every mistake we make from this point onwards will make it harder and harder to get back to where we were a year ago.

Like everyone... I'll be delighted if we can get through this, but at the oment we are as likely to unravel further as anything else

One of the things that will help us avoid unravelling is retaining our best players.

 

[Fox]

The chavs have just extended anelka's contract and dog is going nowhere so not sure what is going on here

Isn't 4-4-2 internationally frowned upon now with probably only Spain being the only top team playing two strikers. Dog and Torres and nic together???

 

[LadyRed]

I have fully prepared myself for him leaving.

Stevie on the other hand is staying.