by Doeboy » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:09 pm
As predicted AM have are well into their press campaign to try and ease the predicted backlash by indicating the ball is in Torres's court:
Atleti hint at life after Torres
Atletico Madrid have given their clearest indication that Fernando Torres could leave the club and that Diego Forlan could be his replacement.
With Liverpool said to have made their interest in the highly-rated striker known, the Spanish club are now playing a waiting game.
Atletico official Miguel Angel Gil Marin admitted he was aware of The Reds' desire to sign Torres and said that one of his jobs this summer could be to look for a replacement.
"Nobody is essential," Gil Marin told Punto Radio.
"We are trying to build a team to compete and it is not about any one player and, good though he is, we want a squad that achieves its ambitions.
"Atletico is creating a side that is not all about Torres, but about the team itself.
"I would love Fernando to stay, but it is Fernando himself who will decide his future.
"We have talked to him and told him that he is in our plans. It is normal that he has doubts.
"It is also normal that there are offers that has caused him to stop and think.
"Things in football can change at any time and, although I do not see anything happening yet, I have to continue to work on looking for alternatives in case all this talk becomes a reality."
Despite all the rumours, Gil Marin holds out hope that Torres will reject Liverpool's overtures and commit himself to the club where he came through the youth ranks.
However, the approach to sign Forlan from Villarreal will continue even if Torres stays, according to Gil Martin.
"The deal that we are trying to do for Forlan is to give Fernando a partner in attack, but it may also be to use him as his replacement," Gil Marin said.
"Torres knows that he is wanted at Atletico and, as far as I know, he wants to stay."
After a meeting with his club and agent, it is believed that Forlan has decided to snub potential interest from the Premier League to remain in Spain.
Aston Villa and Sunderland have both been linked with the former Manchester United forward.