Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool's Fernando Torres tells club he wants to join Chelsea as Luis Suarez signs
Fernando Torres has told Liverpool he wants to join Chelsea as Roman Abramovich prepares an improved offer to sign the Spain striker before Monday's transfer deadline.[LNB]Torres, 26, has made up his mind it is time to leave Merseyside and is attracted to Stamford Bridge after assurances that Chelsea owner Abramovich plans to inject more money into the team.[LNB]A Liverpool spokesman said last night: 'Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected. Fernando is under long-term contract and the club expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters.'[LNB] Wanted man: Fernando Torres is disillusioned at Liverpool and is tempted by the offer from Chelsea[LNB]Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish doesnot want to be the man who lets Torres leave Anfield, but despite theirdefiant statement, the signs are that Liverpool's board will sanctionthe move if Chelsea offer ?45million, plus striker Daniel Sturridge.[LNB]The development rocked Anfield on aday when the club broke their transfer record by spending ?22.8m onAjax striker Luis Suarez. Torres has been left disillusioned by brokenpromises made to keep him at the club last summer. [LNB]Chelsea are aware of hisrestlessness and of a verbal agreement with Liverpool's previous regimethat he would be allowed to move on if a reasonable bid was received.[LNB]Abramovich made a ?28m offer lastweek and increased it to ?35m on Thursday, with the news breakingconveniently just as Liverpool players, already out of the FA Cup, wereembarking on a two-day break.[LNB]Chelsea will return with a third offer before Monday's deadline, with Sturridge included in part exchange.[LNB] On his way: Luis Suarez is swapping Ajax for Liverpool in the January transfer window[LNB]Liverpool have made it clear theywill not negotiate at anything less than ?50m. But Abramovich istempted to go to the asking price because he realises there is only asmall window of opportunity when Chelsea are the clear favourites inthe race. Barcelona and Manchester City would both be interested in thesummer, which would drive up the price.[LNB]New bid: The Reds have upped their offer for Blackpool's Charlie Adam[LNB]Liverpool, who have increased theiroffer for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam to ?6m, would prefer Torresto see out the season with them and hope the arrival of Suarez mightallay fears about the ambition of the club under their new owners.[LNB]Director of football strategy Damien Comolli flew to Amsterdam yesterday to complete the Suarez transfer, subject to a medical. [LNB]The Dutch league's top scorer lastseason, with 35 goals in 33 games, is expected to sign a contract wortharound ?80,000 a week, with Liverpool keen to stress he has not beensigned to replace Torres.[LNB]However, the Spaniard feels promisesmade last summer have already been broken. He agreed to stay at Anfieldafter the exit of Rafa Benitez and amid interest from Chelsea andManchester City in June under assurances from Roy Hodgson that the teamwould be rebuilt.[LNB]It has not unfolded the way heenvisaged, with Hodgson sacked, few quality signings made and the teamagain struggling to qualify for next season's Champions League.[LNB]Dalglish's arrival as temporary manager has lifted Torres's form but may prove too little too late.[LNB]If he was to sign for Chelsea, hisfirst home game would probably be against Liverpool a week tomorrow.The key will be whether Liverpool's new owners accept there is no pointkeeping an unhappy player and acknowledge the agreement struck by theirpredecessors, or dig in their heels to keep Torres.[LNB]Abramovich has made it clear,through agents, he is committed to bankrolling Chelsea to competeagainst Europe's best. Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti refused todiscuss Torres yesterday, saying: 'I only speak about my players.'[LNB]Additional reporting: JOHN EDWARDS[LNB] Er, is this what they really think of you at the Bridge, Fernando?[LNB]Scoring seven goals in six games against Chelsea was never going to endear him to the Stamford Bridge faithful as the verbal abuse he received during Liverpool's 2-0 defeat in October 2009 (below) shows.[LNB]Fernando Torres is not loved by Chelsea and that's why Liverpool fans were warning the Spaniard yesterday on Twitter that he would be better off staying at Anfield.[LNB] We don't like you: Torres is yelled at in the 2009 defeat[LNB] Will Luis Suarez play alongside or instead of Fernando Torres?Roman Abramovich raises the stakes as bid for Fernando Torres signals sea change at ChelseaI quit! Torres hands in transfer request but Liverpool knock back Spain striker after sealing ?22.8m SuarezAston Villa ready to play waiting game for transfer targets Charlie Adam and Seb LarssonAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinionAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion Explore more:People: John Edwards, Kenny Dalglish, Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Roman Abramovich, Fernando Torres, Carlo Ancelotti, Charlie Adam, Daniel Sturridge Places: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Liverpool, Spain, Europe
