• Spain striker wants assurances before deciding his future
• Roman Abramovich returns to South Africa to pursue signing
Fernando Torres will hold talks with Liverpool after the World Cup before making a decision over his future as Chelsea prepare to step up their interest in signing the Spain international.
Torres, 26, who has endured a frustrating World Cup but is expected to retain his place in Spain’s starting line-up for tomorrow’s semi-final against Germany, has said that he wishes to speak to the Anfield board, as well as Roy Hodgson, the new Liverpool manager, after the weekend to discuss the club’s position and their long‑term plans.
Hodgson has stressed the importance of retaining Torres and telephoned the striker within hours of his appointment as Rafael Benítez’s successor to try to persuade him to stay at Liverpool. Martin Broughton, the Liverpool chairman, has also made it clear that the club’s top players are not for sale, but Chelsea are expected to test that resolve and hope to convince Torres to leave Anfield for what is likely to be a record British transfer fee.
Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s owner, is reported to have flown back out to the World Cup to pursue the former Atlético Madrid forward, who has long been on the club’s radar. Manchester City are also admirers of Torres and had hoped to compete for his signature but their failure to qualify for the Champions League has significantly reduced their chances. City have had an offer turned down for another striker, Internazionale’s Mario Balotelli, according to the player’s agent.
Torres has emphasised he will decide nothing until the World Cup is over. “I suppose that when the World Cup finishes I will speak to the people at Liverpool and they will explain to me the real situation of how things are at present, the future of the club,” he said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo. “And I will talk to the new coach.
“There’s time for [Liverpool], but I want to finish the World Cup, go on holiday, as I haven’t had a holiday for three years, rest and then there will be time to talk about all of that. The situation isn’t going to change whether we talk soon or later. Honestly, teams won’t be able to do anything until the World Cup has finished. The players here prefer to wait – there is time.”
Torres has previously become frustrated by Liverpool’s failure to deliver on promises of fresh investment and he is likely to seek assurances about imminent signings – he said in March “we need four or five top-class players to compete” – as well as the prospect of new owners. Broughton has said he is “hopeful” a deal for the club will be agreed by the time the transfer window closes at the end of next month, though that appears optimistic.
Fernando TorresLiverpoolTransfer windowChelseaStuart Jamesguardian.co.uk
