Manchester City have rejected claims they recently held discussions with representatives of Fernando Torres about the possibility of signing the Liverpool striker.
According to reports in Spain, members of City's owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, met with Torres' advisors within the past fortnight, hoping to complete a move when the January transfer window opens.
Spanish daily Marca claims City have offered to double Torres' current wages in an effort to prise the highly-rated striker away from Anfield.
Such a deal would certainly eclipse the £32.5 million British transfer record that brought Robinho to Eastlands from Real Madrid.
For the time being, though, Torres has insisted he is happy to stay at Anfield, with five years left to run on his contract.
The 24-year-old is aware of City's interest, but has instructed his agents to immediately rebuff any bid from a rival Premier League club.
And City officials have dismissed suggestions that they are planning a swoop for Torres.
Sulaiman al-Fahim, the Abu Dhabi billionaire who orchestrated Sheik mansour's £210m takeover of City last month, has confessed he is a big fan of the Spain international, but a club spokesman said: "At no time has any Manchester City offical, or anybody representing the club, contacted Fernando Torres, his representatives or Liverpool Football Club."
Last weekend, Torres scored two goals to help Liverpool retain their position at the top of the Premier League, level on points with Chelsea.
Rafa Benitez's men came back from two goals down to defeat 10-man City 3-2 at Eastlands, maintaining the club's fantastic start to the season and underlining Torres' status as one of the best strikers in the world.
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