Fernando Torres to AC Milan: Italian giants confirm interest in 'important' Chelsea striker as well as Marco van Ginkel

The Serie A side need a striker after sale of Mario Balotelli

Fernando Torres has caught the eye of AC Milan (Getty Images)

AC Milan have confirmed their interest in Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, with the club's CEO Adriano Galliani describing the Spanish striker as an "important player".

The Italians are in the market for a striker after selling Mario Balotelli to Liverpool for £16m this week.

Torres, who joined Chelsea for £50m from Liverpool in 2011l has fallen further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge after the £32m signing of Diego Costa this summer. Costa's place as the club's target man seems under little threat - he has scored in each of his first two matches for the club.

His spell at Chelsea has been far from successful - in 172 matches for the club in all competitions he has scored 45 goals.

Milan have also revealed their intentions to sign Torres's Chelsea team-mate, the Dutch 21-year-old midfielder Marco van Ginkel.

On whether his side would be making any more transfers before the transfer window closes on Monday, Galliani said:

"We’re entering the final hours, let’s see if we’re able to buy an important striker. This is the main aim. Torres is definitely an important striker, let’s see if we’re able to get him or another player. Van Ginkel? It’s possible, we’ve written to Chelsea and we’re waiting for a response. We’re quite confident."

Van Ginkel has made just two league appearances for the west London side since joining for £8m from Vitesse in 2013.