icLiverpool
LIVERPOOL have agreed to smash their transfer record to land number
one target Fernando Torres.
And Anfield officials are now very confident the Reds will get
their man.
The Reds have agreed a deal in principle with Atletico Madrid just
short of the £27m get-out clause stipulated in Torres contract,
and hope to convince the player to accept personal terms early next
week.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez remained tight-lipped today, saying: All I
can say is that Fernando Torres is one of the players we have
looked at, but Liverpool are now very optimistic Torres will line
up at Anfield next season.
The transfer fee smashes Liverpools previous record of £14m, paid
for Djibril Cisse three years ago, and the Reds may try now to
recoup some of their vast outlay by selling the French
international back to his own country.
The Reds have been locked in talks with Marseille, where Cisse
spent a season on loan, with a view to a permanent transfer.
The French club are keen to secure another season-long loan, but
with only two years left on his Anfield contract Benitez is adamant
that will not happen.
Another departure could be winger Luis Garcia.
Atletico want the player, signed from Barcelona for £6m just a
month after Cisses arrival, and value him at £4m, but his return
to Spain is not dependent on Torres arrival.
Eighteen months ago Torres said: "If I left Spain I'd like to go to
England, because the way they play in Italy is not so
attractive.
Now he looks like getting his wish.
will it come true? 
