Monday, July 12, 2010

Liverpool Attempt To Price Striker Fernando Torres Out Of The Market With £100 Million Valuation

Liverpool have put a world record £100 million price tag on their stellar striker Fernando Torres, in a bid to warn off interested clubs making bids after World Cup 2010.

According to the Daily Mail, new Anfield chief Roy Hodgson has expressed his determination to hold on to his star goal-getter and is also desperate to build his team around captain Steven Gerrard.

Despite failing to find his best form for Spain during the World Cup, Torres has indicated all talks regarding his future are to be put on hold until he returns to Merseyside.

It is believed Hodgson is ready to dismiss the reported £30m offer from Chelsea and hold out for the record breaking fee, a sum which is £20m more than the previous record for Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid last summer.

"It seems Liverpool are trying to price [Fernando] Torres out of the market," said a source. "The impression they gave is that Torres is going nowhere."

Torres's more immediate thoughts will be on the World Cup final against Holland, having struggled to make any impact, it is uncertain whether the Liverpool hitman will make the starting line-up for the showdown at Soccer City.

A knee operation before the tournament has hampered his fitness, but Hodgson is more concerned that he remains at Anfield next season.

The former Fulham boss has already had talks with Gerrard in order to convince him to stay, despite rumours that Jose Mourinho was ready to take the England captain to Real Madrid.

Hodgson must now convince Torres that his future also remains with the Reds, although a mega bid from Manchester City is also likely to test the resolve of Liverpool's top-brass.

"Torres won't go to [Manchester] City because they cannot give him what he wants, which is to try to win a European Cup medal," added the insider.

Other reports suggest that the figure lies around £70 million, and according to the News of the World, Torres would have to hand in a transfer request if he wants to quit Anfield.

Liverpool have stated that they will not shift on their hard-line stance, but privately they have admitted that if Torres were to declare a wish to leave, the dynamics will shift and the club may be forced into listening to offers.

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