Chelsea ready to listen to Fernando Torres transfer offers after Samuel Eto'o signs 29 Aug 2013 22:30 Spanish striker the Blues paid £50m for in 2011 is up for grabs - and
faces a lack of playing time in a World Cup year if he stays
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is up for sale following the arrival of Samuel Eto’o.
Cameroon marksman
Eto'o, 32, has signed a stunning one-year deal worth £7million to move from Anzhi Makhachkala to Stamford Bridge.
Now, despite Demba Ba being linked with a return to Newcastle, Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for Torres, who was signed from Liverpool for a British record £50million two years ago.
Spanish sides are aware of his availability, with the 29-year-old having fallen down the pecking order following Eto’o’s arrival.
Clubs enquiring after rising-star forward Romelu Lukaku following Eto’o arrival have been told that the Belgian still remains very much in Mourinho’s plans.
Torres has lifted the European Cup, FA Cup and the Europa League trophy during his time with
the west Londoners.
In his three games under new boss Jose Mourinho this season, however, the Spaniard has been substituted against Hull, unused against Aston Villa and sent on from the bench for the game at Manchester United.
Torres knows that his chances of being selected for the World Cup next summer could be in jeopardy if he is not playing regular first-team football this season. International team-mate David Villa quit Barcelona for Atletico Madrid this summer in order to get more opportunities to impress Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque.
Mourinho turned to Eto’o, with whom he lifted a Treble of Italian title and Cup and the Champions League at Inter Milan, after failing to land Wayne Rooney from United earlier this week.
Eto’o is understood to be a player on whom Mourinho believes he can rely on.
Torres, in contrast, faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
Eto, who rejected a counter-offer from Inter to move to London, said: “I am very happy to be here, but also anxious because I want to play as soon as possible.
“It was a difficult decision. Was very happy with Jose Mourinho before so when the opportunity came, I was very happy to take it."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-transfers-fernando-torres-sale-2237079