• Liverpool reject striker's transfer request
• Chelsea prepare fresh bid of £40m for Spaniard
The Anfield outfit also threatened to report Chelsea to the
Premier League for allegedly "tapping up" the Spanish striker.
They claim Blues went to Torres and his agents to set up a deal
before making their £40million bid. Yesterday's high drama also
saw:
Liverpool believe that Chelsea have done an 'Ashley Cole' by
speaking to the Torres camp without permission.
A senior Anfield source said: "It's clear Fernando has had his
head turned and Chelsea have 'previous' for that sort of thing,
don't they?
"Ashley Cole springs to mind and it looks like they've been at
it again here."
SunSport can reveal Chelsea increased their offer for Torres by
£2½m yesterday and threw Sturridge, 21, into the mix.
And Chelsea intend to keep up the pressure, with a Blues insider
saying: "Liverpool don't want to sell but a lot depends on the
player's wishes."
There is also a belief that Liverpool's stand could also be
swayed if Chelsea up their offer to £50m.
Spanish hitman Torres, 26, has told the club he wants to join
Chelsea, who are offering £200,000-a-week.
A pal of Torres said: "He believes it's the best thing for
himself and Liverpool. He wants to be part of a team capable of
competing at the highest level."
Liverpool have worked tirelessly to persuade Torres to stay
since Chelsea's initial £40m bid.
And, last night, a club statement insisted: "Fernando Torres
submitted a transfer request which has been rejected by
Liverpool.
"Fernando is under long-term contract and the club expect him to
honour the commitment he made when he signed the agreement."
But while the battle over Torres rumbled on, Liverpool finally
signed Uruguay World Cup striker Suarez, 24, after Ajax accepted an
increased offer following talks in Amsterdam.
Suarez, who will sign a five-year contract, said: "This is a
dream come true for me."
