TORRES REPORTEDLY DECLINES RECORD CONTRACT OFFER FROM MANCHESTER CITY

A source close to the negotiations spoke to the UK media on condition of anonymity:

"City were ready to offer Fernando Torres a huge contract, and by that I mean the biggest for any footballer anywhere in the world. But Torres said 'no', he was not interested."

The deal that Manchester City offered is equal to the mammoth contract signed by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and with signing bonuses and other inducements would be the biggest contract in history.  Torres appears to be interested only in a move to Chelsea or possibly to remain at Liverpool.  The source said that contract negotiations are going on with the reigning Premier League champions behind the scenes:

"Yes, negotiations are going on behind the scenes, and just how much Chelsea would offer in a transfer fee and wages is not something I am prepared to discuss at this point."

That’s where things get interesting.  Liverpool is willing to offer Torres a 70 million Euro deal to get him to stay.  Reports indicate that Chelsea isn’t willing to offer more than 45 or 50 million.  Nothing official has been offered by Chelsea, however, but it’s unlikely that team owner Roman Abramovich would authorize a contract offer in excess of 50 million.  

Another issue is the fact that Liverpool is currently without a manager, and whoever winds up with the job may determine how serious the effort to resign Ferdinand will be.  Still another scenario is that Torres is using Chelsea as a ‘Plan B’ just in case Liverpool’s new manager is looking to move on without him.
 
Torres’ immediate concern, of course, is the World Cup where Spain is the current soccer betting favorite.  The Spanish side is a +425 favorite to win the tournament, ahead of Brazil and England.  Spain will begin World Cup play against Switzerland on June 16.