Fernando Torres

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer following Rafael Benitez’s exit.

Benitez’s move to Inter Milan has seemingly unsettled some of the Reds’ top stars, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano both being linked with moves abroad.

Liverpool have already lost one of their stalwarts this summer with Yossi Benayoun opting to join Chelsea.

Given the Reds’ current financial peril its seems almost certain that a number of other players will be leaving Merseyside, with the likes of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva and Martin Skrtel all possible transfer targets for other clubs.

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson looks as though he will have a tough task on his hands to persuade some players to stay.

The club will be desperate to keep their top stars, especially Torres who has been prolific since he completed his £26.5m move from Atletico Madrid in 2007.

The striker is currently with the Spanish national side preparing for their World Cup semi-final against Germany (2/1 outright World Cup winners) and has put off talk over his club future until he returns from South Africa.

However, his agent David Martin has today hinted that Torres may ask to leave Anfield once he returns, suggesting his future lies with another Premier League side.

“Barcelona have signed David Villa and now they want to invest the money they have in other players,” he told the Daily Mail.

“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.”

Martin’s comments have sparked rumours that Chelsea (1/7 to beat West Brom on the opening weekend of the new season) or Manchester City could make a bid for Torres.

However, any offer made would have to be huge with the striker still having three years left to run on his current deal.

City have already pushed the boat out in bringing in David Silva, Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng and are looking to add further talent to their squad.

While Chelsea  could well be persuaded to break the bank to sign Torres should he become available.

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