Roberto Mancini still eyeing Fernando Torres to further strengthen Manchester City
The management at the helm of affairs at Manchester City have opined that they are ready for El Nino if he has made up his mind. Roberto Mancini has cleared out his intentions by saying that he is ready to buy Fernando Torres if the striker is ready to leave Liverpool.
Just recently, Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson revealed that the star Spanish striker Fernando Torres has very low chances of staying at Liverpool in the next season as the player has some issues from the past that hinder him from playing at the club.
Hodgson stated that Torres has a “beef'” with the Merseyside. Though Hodgson had given Torres a time limit to give in his answer, there have been no defining statements from him as yet. Time indeed is running out for the world class forward not just from Liverpool’s end but from other clubs as well because the season is drawing nearer and the market is about to close.
Roberto Mancini had lost interest in the player but his recent statements give proof that all has not been lost. There is already an official bid of 50 million pounds by Chelsea who are also looking forwards to sign the player. However, the Citizens countered the offer by saying that they were willing to pay as much as 60 million pounds for such a coveted player. Rumour has it that Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti will be willing to pay as much as 70 million pounds for the prize.
Moreover, Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg and Mario Balotelli of Inter Milan are also attracting a lot of interest from both the clubs. Along with Manchester United, these clubs have similar plans of strengthening their attack.
Mancini praised Torres when he said, “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. But it depends on his situation - his price and whether he wants to come”. He added, “There are two or three strikers that we could go for, but it is the same situation as it is with James Milner. First there is the price and then it depends if the players want to change team. Until today, Liverpool haven't bought many players”.
There are barely any reasons that would make Torres stay at Anfield. Liverpool has failed to qualify for the Champions League along with their financial troubles because of which they are unable to offer a lucrative salary if compared to the offers made by Manchester City. The club has just hired the most highly paid player in the EPL in the shape of Yaya Toure at 200, 000 pounds a week.
Manchester City has also inked the paper with Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Aleksandar but Mancini has told that his signings haven’t finished as yet and the club still has its eyes out for more world class players. With a rich Sheikh at their back, they are looking forwards to grab Aston Villa’s James Milner but the road has a few bumps.
Mancini informed on the situation when he said, “When Manchester City enquires about a £10 million player, the club asks for £20 million. That is not good for us; James is still a player who interests us but only at the right price.”
The Light Blues will also be saying good bye to one of their most talented player, Robinho, especially after the coach announced that the Brazilian forward is not interested to play for them anymore. The Brazilian striker spent half of the last season playing for Santos.
Mancini relayed his knowledge on the issue when he said, “I don't know about Robinho's situation because he doesn't want to come back. I have now, with all the new signings, 30 players. It is important that we get to the start of the season with only 25 players because that is the number of names we can put on the list. It is better for me and the other players who are not on the list that they go to another team. I think it is better for the extra that they go rather than staying and not playing. That would be a big problem, for the players and for us”.
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