Dream buy: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has vowed to sign TorresManchester City manager Robert Mancini has revealed the world’s richest club will look to build next season’s Barclays Premier League title bid around the signing of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
In an expression of intent that is sure to enrage the Anfield club and could see City reported to the Premier League, Mancini admitted he wants to sign the Spain forward. And, in another twist, it is understood City have been led to believe Torres is open to offers.
Mancini said on Thursday night: ‘We are a top team and I think all the top teams are interested in Torres. He is up there with Tevez, Rooney, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo ... the best in Europe.
'Sometimes it depends on the player because they want to play in the Champions League. And if we don’t get into the fourth position it will be difficult.’
It would cost City more than £50million to land Torres and that valuation could rise if he enjoys a successful World Cup in South Africa this summer.
The 26-year-old is recovering from a knee operation and missed Liverpool’s Europa League semi-final first leg loss at Atletico Madrid last night. But he remains one of the world’s most feared goalscorers and City will launch a serious bid to poach him if Mancini can guide the club to a top-four Premier League finish.
City took soundings from the Torres camp about a move last summer and were told ‘no chance’. That answer had changed to a ‘maybe’ by the time they asked the question again last December.
One wish: Mancini wants to build a team capable of winning the Premier LeagueCity would be prepared to make Torres the Premier League’s top earner on more than £200,000 a week but, when asked on Thursday if Liverpool would sell Torres, Mancini said: ‘I don’t know this. I have read that Liverpool have to sell one or two players but I don’t know what their situation is exactly.
‘Torres is a fantastic striker but all the teams in Europe are interested in him. It is the same situation with regard to fourth place. Now we must think about the last four games of this season and after that we can look at new players.’
Mancini’s future at City is still uncertain. His position will be looked at by the board if he cannot see off competition from Tottenham, Aston Villa and indeed Liverpool to land a Champions League place for next season.
What is obvious, though, is that City have their eyes on a bigger prize next season. Mancini said when he arrived at the club in December that he wanted to win the Premier League and that remains his brief.
The Italian added: ‘That is my desire, even ahead of the Champions League. I want players to understand that Manchester City are an important project for the future and that they can come here, not only if we get fourth position.
‘Probably the money helps. I think we must buy a top player. We must make sure we don’t spend too much on normal players but if there is the possibility to spend the money on top players, young players who can help us build a future, I think it is OK.
‘I don’t like to waste money because I have respect for the club and the owners, but if we need a player we will spend. It all depends on our target next year. If we want to win the Premier League ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United,
we must sign some important players.
Return: Craig Bellamy has been one of the few forward line transfers that have worked at Manchester City‘Every year the club have improved and we want to do the same again. Sometimes you don’t have to buy 15 players. You can buy three or four important players.’
City have spent more than £200m since the club was bought by Sheik Mansour of Abu Dhabi in August 2008. The club have, however, had mixed results with attacking players.
Robinho, who cost a club record £32.5m, is on loan in Brazil, Paraguay’s Roque Santa Cruz has not been able to shake off persistent knee problems and Emmanuel Adebayor has endured an up and down first season.
However, City have struck gold with former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez and have enjoyed a decent return on the £12m they invested in Wales striker Craig Bellamy.
source: dailymail
