this is from a chelsea forum..
Spanish hitman days from signing for Blues.
Chelsea are very close to signing Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
The recent signing of Yossi Benayoun was signposted almost two months ago here on Chelsea-Mad.
At that time we also stated that Double-winners Chelsea were keen to land the Spanish hitman.
However summer holidays for Chelsea’s top brass and Torre’s involvement in the World Cup meant that formal talks were delayed.
But thankfully Chelsea’s footballing board have got their act together and talks with Torres’s agent are at an advanced but delicate stage.
Chelsea have to be careful not to play hard-ball with Torres as he is also keen to hear what Barcelona are offering.
Chelsea are clear domestic favourites as they can offer Torres Champions League football and a wage packet second only to Manchester City.
However Torres is keen to move to London which puts the Londoners in pole position.
Chelsea see Torres, 26 as the ideal foil for Didier Drogba as the Blues seek to land Europe’s top trophy for the first time next season.
The move is also a shrewd footballing one as it will enable Chelsea to gradually ease Nicolas Anelka out of the picture in a season’s time.
Chelsea’s medical team have advised the Chelsea football board that they will ensure a through medical check is made of Torres and a bespoke training regime developed for a player seemingly prone to injury.
Chelsea are confident that there will not be a major doubt over his long-term fitness and as such have convinced Roman Abramovich that a final bid close to £70million will be enough to prise Torres from Anfield.
Torres will take an extended holiday after this weekend’s World Cup final matches.
Chelsea want to have an agreement in place by Wednessday of next week but sources within the club have told Chelsea-Mad that it could take two more weeks to solve all outstanding issues.
