from bbc.co.uk Liverpool's hopes of landing top target Fernando Torres hang in the balance as talks continue with Atletico Madrid over the £27m-rated striker. Atletico president Enrique Cerezo says Liverpool have not tabled a bid for the 23-year-old Spain striker. But BBC Sport understands discussions between the clubs are ongoing and have now reached a crucial stage. Atletico are reluctant to sell, but Torres is believed to be keen to link up with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. Liverpool are reluctant to pay the £27m release clause in Torres' contract, and Benitez does not want to part with midfield man Luis Garcia, who is reported to be interesting Atletico. Benitez wants to land Torres to provide a spearhead for an assault on the title - and also allow new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to demonstrate their own financial commitment to his plans. Torres has been consistently linked with a move to England, particularly with Arsenal and Chelsea, but Liverpool are now at the head of the queue. If he signs, he will join fellow countrymen Garcia, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso, as well as boss Benitez. Atletico had earlier played down Liverpool's interest, with president Cerezo saying: "We've had no offer from Liverpool for Torres. He's on his holiday and resting. "I repeat that there has been nothing about Torres from any team. We're now working to create a good team for the coming year." Torres, 23, scored 14 league goals in 36 starts this season as Atletico finished seventh in La Liga. The Spanish international's Atletico contract runs until 2009. Torres came up though the youth ranks at Atletico and has been their leading scorer in each of the last five seasons.
18million plus Cisse/Garcia would be good business IMO, even though a lot of people would be sad to see Luis go. 27million and we are being ripped off. If he can reproduce his world cup form I will be a very happy camper! He's consistent anyway top scorer for Athletico for 5 seasons running.
If we can't afford the quoted release clause we should try and get cisse off the books. A lof of fans on the BBC 606 message board are saying to keep him which in my opinion would be the worst thing to do. The man has the ability but no brain and after coming back from 2 broken legs has goo mentality but not too play for the Reds anymore
I read somewhere that the Buy out is up for debate as Athletico did not qualify for europe this year it is 16m rather than 27m. Cisse plus 10m would be good business.
Atletico's valuation of cisse is a lower than Liverpool's more likely Marseille will pay what his valuation is at 8 million. Like if we sold Cisse and Bellamy(for his quoted price) we could have Torres for 20 mill plus possibly but who knows
There was a lot of talk that it may be due to the player having a 10% bonus in the his agreement should any contract go through and that Athletico want us to pay that.... could be rubbish I guess Reckon there is a good chance now although i think it will be straight money rather than any kind of swap. The amount of swap deals that are talked about is ludicrous as nearly all deals are money only...
Like i know people criticise Garcia as we all know he is frustrating at times but he is a big game player and as for the Crouch rumours swap request why would we want to get rid of him. He has become a key player and has improved some amount from his time when we bought him to now
Please don't take our luis away Just to clarify incase i didn't... I hope we don't lose Garcia. Also don't want crouch to go. Cisse... him they can take
I know ya didn't want to sell either of them Mac just saying that some fans were on other message boards espeically the BBC 606 one banging on about selling one of the two above along with cisse Also it seems like Atletico fans are not too happy according to the the times website in the UK: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/liverpool/article1995065.ece
There is always going to be back & forth stuff in the media when there is a possible big signing. The thing is we have to hope he settles quickly/ gets off to a flyer- we have to hope that his goal to games ratio improves alot & of course we have to hope we have wingers who can provide service to him. I'm just not sure about him But want to be proved wrong!!!
Instead of all the doom and gloom I will just add a future headline.... "Torres kops golden boot as Pool capture title number 19"
I think Torres would do very well in England. He would crucify the poorer teams, which is something we have struggled to do heretofore. He is fast, clinical, good in the air and has the abilty to turn a game in an instant. As for number 19, thats a foregone conclusion
If it were 16m the deal would've surely already been signed, sealed and deliver at that price. It seems obvious that - (1) We want Torres (2) Torres wants Liverpool (3) Atletico fans want Torres to stay (4) Atletico the club know he's going, regardless of fan revolts, and just want to make the most on him whether thats making us paying his 10% bonus or whatever you believe about the figures. Saying that, didn't a similiar fan display affect the Simao deal previously ? I hope the mancs/arse/chavs don't mess this up for us especially with Henry and Smith going. Already I've seen a Spanish quote along the lines of the mancs had to pay 20m (thats the figure quote maybe euros) for an unknown player then Torres is worth much more. I knew their two ridiculous transfer fees would fcuk us up but thought more for Simao. On what we don't know the whole involvement of Garcia, Crouch and Cisse in the deal would seem like pure speculation just like the different figures and conditions being banded about. Its a journo's join the dots game. To me I'd believe that they would want Crouch the most, he could be a big hit over there but we'd be barking mad to let him go unless in a straight cashless swap (even still open to debate). Cisse unlikely unless we offer a bargain evaluation and although Rafa would want to get rid he should get a better price elsewhere. Have to remember Garcia has been out for a season so unlikely to meet Rafa's evaluation and he likes him anyway (although you could bring Benayoun into this equation). I've heard and believe this more that Rafa wants to keep Luis. We want to strengthen our squad not swap out match winners.
I agree except about him being clinical and #19 being a foregone clonclusion (if you believe that you could 10/1 with PP via the LFC site, doing each way you'd get 5/1 for 2nd). He's a 1 goal in 3 chances striker. Against weaker opposition that could evaluate to a brace though given some of our midfield domination against teams, which is set to increase, especially if we get quality ball in. But if Crouch got 6 chances in a match I'd fancy him to score twice too. I'm not sure he, well either of them, would grab that one crucial chance that comes his way in a top 4 game but leagues are not won on this. The more I think about it the more I'd equate Crouch and Torres strike rate wise and both will depend on quality ball getting into them. If they get 15 league goals each and Kuyt and/or Bellamy tip double figures we'd run away with the league forget about 20 goal a season strikers given our strong defence.
Wexred i agree but all this speculation is annoying,who's next to be linked in the deal? kewell Until the lad is ours expect to keep reading more page fillers.I personally would prefer a straight cash deal and think rafa would prefer this also at a good price.Cisse + cash could be the only other sensible option...if they would take him.
[Hi wexred. Number 19 might take a bit of work. I think Torres oozes class, and you have to remember he achieved that goal-game ratio largely playing as alone striker, target man. Therefore a 1/3 goal :game ratio is actually very misleading. With a foil to do the work...(Kuyt) I think torres would up that to a 1 in 2 ratio at least. I think he would score at least 25 goals in all competitions. I think Bellamy will be on the way, Im surprised he hasnt been mentioned in the player swap deals ( though I'm sure he will be at some stage). Id like some movement on this soon though. United and Chelsea dont hang about and therefore usually get their man. The longer this saga drags, the more likely it is that Cisse will lead the line next year. Now perish that thought.
the only way i can see us getting him if we give cash and 2 players. which players is a guess but we wont get him any easyier
....well actually funny you should mention 'Arry cos a very solid source, a mate of a mate's granny, heard a rumour while getting the blue rinse done in the hairdressers on pensioner day that....
I completely disagree - cash and TWO players - that would be a joke and won't happen. Have only ever seen the likes of that when the players are on the way out anyway. That could be applied to Cisse but we obviously want money for him and Rafa is playing hardball with Marseilles when they probably expected an easy ride like clubs have gotten off us before. He's dead right no more freebies going along with the player wanting to go on loan to a club that won't buy him. Either accept a club offer or suffer in the reserves. I don't think Rafa wants to play Cisse next season like people seem to be worrying about (there's not the room in the squad) he just wants a fair price for him. If you look at the evaluations of the players mentioned roughly Cisse 5-8m, Bellamy 12m, Garcia > 10m ?, Crouch surely 15m+ then I'd say if two players went there'd be no cash involved. I couldn't see Crouch being involved in any case, think Rafa would be slow to let Luis go but would involve Cisse and Bellamy alright at his evaluations (he deffo reckons Bellamy is worth 12m) so alright possibly Cisse and Bellamy plus a single million figured sum but would Atletico be bothered really ?