Transfer news – Man City plot record £70m bid for Torres
Published:Manchester City are ready to break the British transfer record in order to sign Fernando Torres, manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed.
The Liverpool striker’s future has been under intense scrutiny during the summer, and even a price tag of £70m will not faze the Eastlands club.
Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the Spaniard, but City are looking to underline their own title credentials – they are 5/1 to win the Premier League – with a sensational coup.
“Torres is one of the best strikers in Europe and is already playing in the Premier League for three years and knows it very well,” Mancini said. “But it depends on his situation, his price and whether he wants to come.”
City already hold the British transfer record following their £32.5m signing of Robinho from Real Madrid, but a move for Torres would shatter such a milestone.
Mancini is also believed to be on the verge of concluding a deal in the region of £25m for Italian forward Mario Balotelli, who Mancini managed at Inter Milan.
And while City remain interested in Wolfsburg’s sought after striker Edin Dzeko, signing Torres would be a statement to send shockwaves across Europe.
Priced at 1/2 to finish in the top four, City seem set for Champions League qualification this season, and European football is crucial to their hopes of attracting top players to Eastlands.
They will have European competition to look forward to this term, and at 6/1 to win the Europa League, Mancini’s side are a tempting bet to land their first major European trophy since the 1970 Cup Winners’ Cup.
How much would Liverpool suffer if Torres was to depart? They are 14/1 to win the Premier League. See the full Barclays Premier League Betting Odds market.
