Fernando Torres’s Agent Refuses To Rule Out Liverpool Exit, Chelsea Chasing Germany Star Thomas Muller

Chris Wright

5th, July 2010

1 Comment

By Chris Wright

Here’s the round-up…

Rumour No. 1: The agent of Fernando Torres has refused to confirm that his client will be staying at Liverpool, sparking claims that the Spanish striker could be poised to move to a rival Premier League club this summer.

Jose Antonio Martin is quoted as saying;

“It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool. We are working on his future but right now you cannot guarantee that he will stay with the English club.”

Both Chelsea and Manchester City are now, of course, ‘on high alert’.

Rumour No. 2: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has identified Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller as his top transfer priority this summer, after witnessing the 20-year-old’s string of impressive performances at the World Cup.

Ancelotti is looking to freshen up his ageing squad during the off-season and is keen to recruit players of Muller’s ilk as direct replacements for outbound veterans Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti and Deco (see below).

The Best of the Rest: Chelsea are also mulling over a £15 million move for Porto’s midfield dynamo Raul Meireles.

One man who is on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer is out-of-favour playmaker Deco, who has agreed terms with Brazilian club Fluminense over a move back to his homeland.

Arsenal have been offered Braga’s Portuguese international ‘keeper Eduardo for £3.4 million.

Manchester City have baulked at Wolfsburg’s £50 million valuation of striker Edin Dzeko and are now looking at their alternatives – namely Inter Milan’s Mario Balotelli, Roma’s Mirko Vucinic, Palermo’s Edinson Cavani and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.

City forgotten man Valeri Bojinov has joined Parma on a permanent deal after spending last season on-loan at the Gialloblu.

West Ham are close to signing £3-million-rated Mexican winger Pablo Barrera from UNAM Pumas and have also tabled an offer for Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell.

Stoke have offered £2 million plus winger Michael Tonge for Cardiff’s Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley.

Sunderland have made an enquiry for Wigan winger Charles N’Zogbia.

Blackpool are hoping to persuade 35-year-old Nicky Butt, who is a free-agent after leaving Newcastle, to join them on a one-year deal.

Middlesbrough are expected to announce the signing of Rangers striker Kris Boyd later today.