Liverpool considering Torres replacement

(GETTY IMAGES)

Fernando Torres edged closer towards a British transfer record move to Chelsea today after it emerged Liverpool were actively trying to sign a replacement for the forward.

Press Association Sport understands the Reds saw a £30million bid for Newcastle's Andy Carroll rejected this morning, with less than 12 hours remaining before the transfer window closed.

There were also reports they had an offer for Bayern Munich hotshot Mario Gomez rebuffed yesterday as they prepared for life without their star striker.

The Carroll bid appeared to suggest a player-plus-cash deal for Torres was not an option, amid rumours Chelsea had offered them both Daniel Sturridge and Nicolas Anelka as makeweights in a £50million package.

The Blues last week had a £35million cash offer rejected, a move which prompted Torres to submit a written transfer request on Friday, which was also turned down.

But it now looks certain that if Liverpool could sign another striker before the 11pm deadline, they would be prepared to do business with Chelsea for the right price.

The Reds have already all but completed the signing of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, whose £23million move from Ajax was set to be wrapped up today.

They were also at the centre of the first major piece of transfer business this morning when the end of Paul Konchesky's unhappy spell at Anfield was heralded by a loan move to Nottingham Forest.

Fellow defender Daniel Ayala was also on the brink of completing a loan move to Forest's east Midlands rivals, Derby.

As well as trying to sign a striker, Liverpool have this month seen bids turned down for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, who like Torres has also submitted a transfer request.

Seasiders manager Ian Holloway has been adamant Adam will not leave Bloomfield Road for a fee which falls below his unspecified valuation, with Birmingham and Aston Villa having also seen offers snubbed.

But Adam would almost certainly opt to join Liverpool if an agreement between the clubs could be reached.

Torres was not the only player Chelsea were waiting on today, with the Barclays Premier League champions running out of time to resurrect their £26million move for Benfica defender David Luiz.

There were also reports Sturridge could be allowed to join Bolton on loan and that the Blues were eyeing St Etienne's France winger Dimitri Payet.

Harry Redknapp this morning insisted it was highly unlikely Tottenham would be doing business before the deadline.

Admitting his interest in virtually all of the strikers he has been linked with - Giuseppe Rossi, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo among them - the Spurs boss could not see Spurs signing any of them.

Then again, Tottenham pulled a rabbit out of the hat on the last transfer deadline day by snapping up Rafael van der Vaart, and they arguably need a striker having last night let Robbie Keane join West Ham on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

The Hammers were also hoping to make more signings before the window shut.

Sunderland have been busy on the transfer front in recent days and this morning saw out-of-favour defender Paulo Da Silva complete his move to Real Zaragoza for an undisclosed fee.

Newcastle could complete a loan deal for Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland, who yesterday underwent a medical in the north east.

Villa were today set to confirm the signing of United States international Michael Bradley on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Birmingham were hopeful of landing former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, who now plays for Rubin Kazan, while boss Alex McLeish has also confirmed Racing Santander have enquired about re-signing Nikola Zigic.

Stoke have received an offer from Wolfsburg, managed by Steve McClaren, for Turkish forward Tuncay.

McClaren previously worked with Tuncay at Middlesbrough but is not certain to land his man, with Stoke manager Tony Pulis confirming he is keen to keep the 29-year-old at the Britannia Stadium.

But he may be prepared to let defender Abdoulaye Faye join Celtic.

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