This is Junk from The Telegraph......if he wants to go why doesn't he just fucking say so ..But like always no actual quotes from individuals involved but would Abramovich really want to come out and say I'm tapping one of Liverpools players up.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to try to secure the signing of Fernando Torres for a British record of £50 million.

The extraordinary fee still falls short of Liverpool's £70 million valuation of their prize asset in what is set to be a summer of turmoil at Anfield. Javier Mascherano is also understood to be adamant that he wants to leave and Steven Gerrard is still attracting very strong interest from Real Madrid.


Abramovich's presence here shows how seriously Chelsea are taking their pursuit of Torres, who is hoping to keep his place in the Spain side for Tuesday's semi-final in Durban against Germany despite a series of indifferent displays in the tournament.

Chelsea have long-coveted the striker and have spent months discussing the best strategy to sign him.

Their interest will, probably, be rivalled by Manchester City but the allure of playing Champions League football makes them the favourites to secure Torres who wants to remain in England should he leave Liverpool.

Barcelona are also interested but they are struggling to raise the funds while the 27 year-old is unsure he wants to return to Spain yet.

Despite a stream of denials by Torres's agents Bahía Internacional – including a statement yesterday by his agent Juan Antonio Martín – both Chelsea and City have been led to believe that he wants to leave this summer.
However because Chelsea are set to bid below the valuation anticipated by Liverpool, it may mean Torres will have to push for a move which could make things messy.
Earlier this year, City's football administrator, Brian Marwood, is understood to have reached an informal agreement by which a bid would be mounted if the club finished in the top four, and qualified for the Champions League, although their hopes have receded. However they will attempt to rival Chelsea for Torres's signature, especially having already acquired David Silva from Valencia as part of a huge spending spree this summer which has also led to the arrival of Yaya Touré and Jerome Boateng.
Further signings – including targets James Milner and Edin Dzeko – are expected.
Torres laid down a marker in what is turning into a protracted exit strategy when he said he wanted Liverpool to recruit half a dozen high-calibre players this summer to avoid last season's disappointment.
But he has said he will speak to new manager Roy Hodgson before resolving his future.
Liverpool have already sold Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea for £5.5 million but the departure of Torres would represent a significant admission by the club that they are struggling to compete especially if Mascherano – who is wanted by Rafael Benítez at Inter Milan – also leaves.
Matters are, of course, complicated by Liverpool's limited finances and the attempts to sell the club by their American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Abramovich was in South Africa for the start of the World Cup but has now returned to show Torres and his representatives how serious his intent is.
He is hoping to meet with Torres' agents over the next few days. A source close to the deal said last night that the Chelsea owner was "pushing very hard" to complete the deal.
Liverpool meanwhile are believed to be monitoring Maynor Figueroa, Wigan's Honduran international left-back. The 27 year-old, who has spent two seasons at the DW Stadium, is expected to leave for around £6 million this summer but wishes to remain in England.
Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager who brought Figueroa to the Premier League, attempted to take the player to the Stadium of Light in January and is expected to renew his interest, but may face competition as Hodgson looks to bolster his defence.
Hodgson has just £12.5 million to spend and inherited one senior left back, the inexperienced Argentine international, Emiliano Insúa.
Hodgson, the former Fulham manager, has also been linked with a move for former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, currently with Panathinaikos, while Joe Ledley, whose contract at Cardiff City has expired, is also thought to be under consideration.

I think it is now easer to be a jorno than to be on the dole. I really wish i had a job that i could just make shit up give it to my boss and say there you go, something i have no proof of is/has happened.

An aside from the bore of the Torres bullshit.

I don't remember what kind of player this Wigan left back is. Anyone know?


Liverpool meanwhile are believed to be monitoring Maynor Figueroa, Wigan's Honduran international left-back. The 27 year-old, who has spent two seasons at the DW Stadium, is expected to leave for around £6 million this summer but wishes to remain in England.

Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager who brought Figueroa to the Premier League, attempted to take the player to the Stadium of Light in January and is expected to renew his interest, but may face competition as Hodgson looks to bolster his defence.

That whole article makes me feel a bit sick.

Be interesting to see if Nando is played in the Europa qualifiers or if he is "not fit".

At the end of the day they are all contracted so if they go they will have asked to go. So if they stay good on them if they go fuck off. But lets not all worry about what some scummy journo is thinking will get him a few more bob for a story.

thought it was illegal to make approaches to players without clubs agreement. Im aware it goes on, but in the light of this do you thing roman gave that rags journo a quick ding to keep him in the loop prior to commiting this illegal act. cunts.

Let him offer the £70m fee if he wants him, but I just hope we are not so stupid as to sell him to a competitor, if that happens this club will show they have no ambition whatsoever.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, a reported target for Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona, is refusing to commit his future to the club until he has spoken with new manager Roy Hodgson and the board of directors about the Anfield outfit's immediate plans. (Press Association)


Doesnt look happy with anything at the minute, Nando. Not enjoying the World Cup, isnt fit, and wants to know who the club are signing. Maynor Figueroa wont be an inspiration to him.

So Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa .......

I wonder why? I mean, what's happening in SA atm? Imo the village idiot has gone on a jolly and wants to see the remaining games - he'll probably join up with the likes of Beckham and every other glory hunting prick who wants to be seen in the fast lane.