Blues agree fee to sign Torres from Reds
LONDON: Chelsea have agreed a fee with Liverpool to sign Spain striker Fernando Torres, the Reds confirmed on their website on Monday.
Torres will now discuss personal terms with the Premier League champions, who are reported to have offered a British record fee of around 50 million pounds ($80 million) for the former Atletico Madrid star.
"Liverpool Football Club tonight confirmed they have agreed a fee with Chelsea for the sale of Fernando Torres," the statement read.
"The player has now been given permission to speak to the London club."
Torres had a transfer request rejected on Friday after two previous Chelsea bids were snubbed by the Reds.
But Liverpool are on the verge of signing Newcastle striker Andy Carroll as a 35 million pounds ($56 million) replacement for Torres, which clears the way for Chelsea to get their man.
As well as signing Torres, Chelsea also hope to land Brazilian defender David Luiz from Benfica before the deadline in a 21 million pounds transfer, while young striker Daniel Sturridge has been allowed to joined Bolton on loan.
After two seasons of relatively meagre spending, the Blues' billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has reacted to the team's recent struggles in sensational fashion.
Chelsea have fallen well off the pace in the Premier League title race as injuries and poor form have hampered Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Losing experienced stars Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack, Deco, Juliano Belletti and Joe Cole in pre-season robbed last season's double winners of strength in depth.
But the Torres and Luiz deals would send a significant message to the club's title rivals, as well as plugging significant holes in Ancelotti's squad.
Torres should pep up a Chelsea forward line that has struggled this season, with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka well below their best.
With Brazil defender Alex sidelined through injury and Blues captain John Terry looking increas! ingly vu lnerable to pace, centre-half Luiz could also prove a vital addition over the coming months.
Ancelotti was not in London to cast an eye over the negotiations, with the Chelsea squad having flown to the north-east ahead of Tuesday's game at Sunderland, but neither player is likely to make their debut in that clash.
Torres will now discuss personal terms with the Premier League champions, who are reported to have offered a British record fee of around 50 million pounds ($80 million) for the former Atletico Madrid star.
"Liverpool Football Club tonight confirmed they have agreed a fee with Chelsea for the sale of Fernando Torres," the statement read.
"The player has now been given permission to speak to the London club."
Torres had a transfer request rejected on Friday after two previous Chelsea bids were snubbed by the Reds.
But Liverpool are on the verge of signing Newcastle striker Andy Carroll as a 35 million pounds ($56 million) replacement for Torres, which clears the way for Chelsea to get their man.
As well as signing Torres, Chelsea also hope to land Brazilian defender David Luiz from Benfica before the deadline in a 21 million pounds transfer, while young striker Daniel Sturridge has been allowed to joined Bolton on loan.
After two seasons of relatively meagre spending, the Blues' billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has reacted to the team's recent struggles in sensational fashion.
Chelsea have fallen well off the pace in the Premier League title race as injuries and poor form have hampered Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Losing experienced stars Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack, Deco, Juliano Belletti and Joe Cole in pre-season robbed last season's double winners of strength in depth.
But the Torres and Luiz deals would send a significant message to the club's title rivals, as well as plugging significant holes in Ancelotti's squad.
Torres should pep up a Chelsea forward line that has struggled this season, with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka well below their best.
With Brazil defender Alex sidelined through injury and Blues captain John Terry looking increas! ingly vu lnerable to pace, centre-half Luiz could also prove a vital addition over the coming months.
Ancelotti was not in London to cast an eye over the negotiations, with the Chelsea squad having flown to the north-east ahead of Tuesday's game at Sunderland, but neither player is likely to make their debut in that clash.
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