Forlan deal paves way for Torres

Jul 2 2007 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

Villarreal's former Manchester United hitman Diego Forlan _200

ATLETICO MADRID have paved the way for Fernando Torres to complete his record-breaking move to Liverpool by signing former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan as his potential replacement.

Uruguayan Forlan, 28, who has rebuilt his career in La Liga, scoring 54 times in 106 games for Villarreal following an unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford, has moved to the Spanish capital in a deal believed to be worth £20million.

In order to finance the big money purchase, Atletico will be banking on Torres’s impending switch to Anfield going through for £26.5m, though a portion of that fee is likely to be spent on taking Luis Garcia in the opposite direction.

Torres, 23, who is set to complete the formalities of move once he returns from holiday later this month, would smash Liverpool’s transfer record fee of £14m for Djibril Cisse.

The impending deal would not only be a major show of intent when it comes to new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks backing Rafael Benitez with significant funds in the transfer market, it would also represent a major coup considering that lifelong Atletico player Torres rejected a move to Chelsea last summer.

However, sources close to the player suggest that only a late change of heart will prevent him calling time on his seven-season spell at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

One player who is looking forward to the new season at Anfield is winger Harry Kewell, who made an impressive return to action in the final month of last season after being sidelined for almost a year.

After three substitute appearances for Liverpool in May, the 28-year-old stepped up his comeback with an impressive display coming off the bench for Australia on Saturday in their final Asia Cup warm-up match against a stubborn Singapore side.

Substitute Kewell, who entered the fray as a 61st-minute substitute, netted 15 minutes later before setting up former Leeds team-mate Mark Viduka for the third goal in the Socceroos’ 3-0 victory. Coach Graham Arnold said: “I’m delighted for Harry. I gave him the captain’s armband for the last couple of minutes as a reward for what he's been through.

“He was fantastic when he came on because he gives you an added dimension.

“Harry came in more central from outside on the wing to be closer to Viduka and I think it’s a role that suits him because he's a natural goalscorer.”

Arnold added: “The Asian Cup is a massive tournament that we're going into with the results that we want but the tournament is also about getting Harry Kewell back to his best as well.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have rewarded five members of last season’s FA Youth Cup winning squad with extended contracts until 2010. Craig Lindfield, Jay Spearing, Ryan Flynn, Stephen Darby and Robbie Threlfall have all agreed new deals.

Manager Rafael Benitez said: “It is great news these five boys have signed. They’ve got a great opportunity to prove what they can do.

“They need to keep learning, work hard and show what they are capable of.”