Re: Torres - Chelsea 35mil Bid turned down
The revelation that Torres has, according to sources, “verbally intimated†he wants to quit the club now has shocked Liverpool but they are determined not to sell before the window closes on Monday.
Torres has urged Liverpool to open negotiations with Chelsea who are planning to increase their initial cash bid of just £28 million – not, as had been thought, £35 million – and offer striker Daniel Sturridge. The revelation may also lead to a backlash against the striker which could, ironically, lead to his exit.
Torres outlined his feelings to Liverpool in a meeting on Thursday, after Chelsea’s bid was rejected. Although he stopped short of formally asking to leave Liverpool or submitting a written transfer request, it is understood that he has made it clear that he wants to go. This has irritated the Merseyside club, who are adamant they will not sell.
Chelsea are insistent that they want to buy Torres now rather than in the summer — when Liverpool may be willing to sell as they will have more time to rebuild — having been given the encouragement that the Spanish international wants to join them.
Talks with middle men are believed to have taken place with his representatives earlier this week, which led to Chelsea lodging a formal offer which was promptly rejected. However Chelsea do not believe this is the end of the matter and remain hopeful that they can land the 26 year-old before the transfer window closes on Monday.
That would appear highly unlikely with Dalglish, Liverpool’s manager until the end of the season, having told Torres, the club’s American owners, the Fenway Sports Group, and Chelsea’s negotiators that the player is emphatically not for sale.
Liverpool have backed this stance in a statement but there is a sense from Chelsea that the £23 million signing of Luis Suárez may open the way for the sale, especially as they are prepared to include Sturridge as a makeweight. Liverpool made inquiries about the 21 year-old striker earlier this season and it is understood that Sturridge wants to leave, having grown frustrated at his limited opportunities.
Liverpool have dismissed this scenario, insisting that they want Suárez to play alongside Torres, rather than replace him and, given the team’s improvement under Dalglish, it is unthinkable that the manager will be undermined now.
If Torres were to make a public statement expressing his desire to leave, then it may change matters.
Chelsea had hoped he would do that last summer, when they also bid for him, but it was not only made clear to Torres that he could not leave while the club were being sold but the player stopped short of airing his feelings.
Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool although it is understood he has grown frustrated by a continued lack of investment. However, the club will hope that the signing of Suárez is evidence of spending on the team.
Chelsea are certainly acting under some encouragement that their bids will be successful and are not considering any other transfer targets for this window beyond Torres and the ongoing saga of David Luiz’s move from Benfica.
