Source: Man_City
City on Torres watch!
Fernando TorresManchester City are set to rub salt in Liverpool's Premier League wounds by preparing a £40m bid for Fernando Torres in the summer. The Blues moved into pole position in the race for fourth place with a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday - and if they pip the Merseyside giants to that vital Champions League spot, they will also try to prise away their rival's brightest star. Torres gave City all the encouragement they needed by hinting that Liverpool need to spend big in the close season to meet his personal ambitions. But Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is working on a limited budget, as owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have piled up £237m of debt. That financial fix will get much worse if Liverpool fail to get in the Champions League. So City can pull off a double-whammy by pipping them to fourth spot - and then testing their resolve to keep their ace striker with a massive bid. Torres has, for the first time, expressed some concern about the club's future and, while declaring himself happy, also left the exit door slightly ajar. "If we do not reinforce the squad, next year all we will be able to do is fight for fourth again," he said. "Being in the Champions League is not so important for me. What is really important is that the club brings in important players to improve the quality of the squad. "I want to be fighting for the Premier League, the Champions League or the Europa League, but to do this we need signings to come. "We need four or five top-class players to compete, players better than ones we have." Spaniard Torres says he does not want a summer return to La Liga, even though Real Madrid and Barcelona are sure to compete with City if there is any sniff of a chance of buying him. A move to Old Trafford is unlikely given the great rivalry between United and Liverpool. He said: "I don't plan on going back to La Liga for a while. I like it here, and people have treated me as one of their own. "I am happy here and hopefully my future is here. I think the club deserves more, but they know they are a long way away. The fans are worried that players are going to leave." Meanwhile, City boss Roberto Mancini has distanced himself from speculation that he could be Italy's next manager when Marcello Lippi, 61, steps down after the World Cup. Mancini said: "No, I have said maybe in 10 years. I don't know. No, it's not for me now." Do you think City will land Torres? Have your say. | Submit Comments| Comments (72)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia
