Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres set to sign for Liverpool today
Jul 3 2007
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo


FERNANDO TORRES was due on Merseyside today to complete his £26.5m signing for Liverpool.
But Peter Crouch will not be the man to make way for the Spaniard in Rafa Benitez’s squad.
The England striker’s Anfield future was cast in doubt at the weekend when it was reported that he was the only Liverpool player with two years remaining on his contract who has NOT been invited to open talks about a new deal.
But Reds chief executive Rick Parry rubbished the report.
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“It is not true that he is the only player not to have been approached about a new deal and he is very much part of Rafa Benitez’s future plans,” he said.
But with Torres now joining Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Andriy Voronin and Craig Bellamy on Liverpool’s striking roster, one forward is likely to make way – with Bellamy the favourite.
Torres was due to have a medical today and could be unveiled as Liverpool’s record signing tomorrow.
But the likelihood of Gabriel Heinze joining him at Anfield receded as Manchester United reacted with horror at the prospect of their Argentinean defender joining their fiercest rivals.
There is no get-out clause in Heinze’s contract, and United have made it clear they will make it difficult for the player to leave.
Heinze is currently on Copa America duty in Venezuela – he played alongside Javier Mascherano in Argentina’s 4-2 defeat of Colombia last night – and no decision is expected on his future until Argentina’s tournament has ended.
But while Heinze has told Anfield officials he would relish the chance to become the first player since Phil Chisnall in 1964 to move directly from United to Liverpool, United will resist all efforts to prise him away.
After Patrice Evra took Heinze’s place at Old Trafford last season and the Argentinean was seeking a much improved contract offer, United let it be known they would be open to offers for the player.
The player has either convinced Alex Ferguson of his form and fitness, or United are mortified at Liverpool snatching one of their defensive stars.
Fernando Torres factfile
* Born March 20, 1984 - the week of the all-Mersey Milk Cup Final at Wembley.
* He was pictured wearing an armband with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ printed on the inside.
* He was nicknamed El Nino, which means The Kid, because of his youthful appearance.
* He is Atletico Madrid and Spain’s youngest player and youngest goalscorer.
* He missed a penalty on his full international debut.
* He was made Atletico captain at the age of 19.
* The £26.5m transfer fee makes him Spain’s most expensive export ever. Gaizka Mendieta was the previous highest when he left Valencia for Lazio.
* He scored Spain’s winning goal in Uefa Under-16 Championship final in 2001 and the Under-19 Championship a year later.
* He scored 91 goals in 243 Atletico appearances.