Torres seeks to leave Liverpool FC

Luis Suarez is today on the verge of becoming a Liverpool player - as Fernando Torres seeks to leave Anfield.

In a dramatic 24 hours, the Spaniard's head was turned by a £35m offer from Chelsea for his services.

But later yesterday, the Reds agreed a fee for striker Suarez in a heavyweight £22.8m deal with Ajax.

The ECHO can confirm that Torres has told senior Anfield officials he wishes to leave the club this month.

The 26-year-old handed in a written transfer request yesterday. But it has been rejected by the club. A statement on the LFC website last night said: "Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool. "Fernando is under a long-term contract and the Club expects him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement."

Liverpool will desperately hope to convince the striker to stay on Merseyside and believe the pending signing of Suarez represents a huge statement of their intent to compete at the very highest level.

The move from Stamford Bridge to land Torres was comprehensively rebuffed by the Reds yesterday morning.

A short statement from the club articulated how their star striker was "not for sale". That is, and will always remain, the position at Anfield.

It remains to be seen if the likely acquisition of Suarez will be proof enough for Torres that new owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) can match his own ambitions.

The South American, who has always been keen on a move to the Reds, has now been given permission to discuss personal terms.

Subject to a medical, the deal could be completed this weekend as the transfer deadline looms at midnight on Monday.

The capture of the 24-year-old could placate the striker and force him to reconsider his decision to leave.

If he can be persuaded to stay at Anfield, fans will look forward with some relish to the Spaniard forging a potentially devastating partnership with Suarez.

Director of football strategy Damien Comolli travelled to Amsterdam earlier this week to enter into delicate negotiations with Ajax.

The deal had looked in the balance after Frank De Boer, the boss of the Eredivisie outfit, declared any transfer had to be concluded by today, two days ahead of the transfer window deadline.

The two clubs' valuation of the player was initially poles apart, Liverpool first offering £12.75m to secure the striker.

Suarez has built up a prolific reputation in Holland, scoring 111 goals in 159 matches since joining Ajax in the summer of 2007.

He was on target three times for Uruguay during the World Cup in South Africa and was sent off for an infamous handball in the quarter final against Ghana.

But the focus now turns on Torres and Liverpool will be anxious to address any concerns the striker may have about the direction of the club.

Reports emanating from Spain claimed yesterday the Reds' number nine had grown disenchanted after his feeling that a lack of investment, which he believed would take place, was being shown by FSG.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, remained tight-lipped about the prospect of Torres heading for Stamford Bridge.

At yesterday's press conference, he refused to discuss his club's bid for the Reds' star man.

The Italian said: "I don't want to speak about this, you will have to ask the club. He is not my player and I have to have respect for Liverpool.

"I'm not surprised, because I know very well what the club is doing now. I am happy because the club is doing a fantastic job in this transfer market. The club is trying to do everything to improve the squad."

One player who looks to be staying at Liverpool is left-back Paul Konchesky, who was being eyed by former club Fulham.

Cottagers' boss Mark Hughes admitted yesterday he had been interested in the defender, but conceded any activity would be unlikely in this transfer window. A further move for the 29-year-old may materialise at the end of the season.

Source: The Echo

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