United snap up ace Torres
Manchester United will sign Fernando Torres for £26m next summer after agreeing to make a down-payment for his services, according to the .
The Red Devils have long been linked with the highly-rated Atletico Madrid frontman and speculation of a move to Old Trafford intensified in the summer after Ruud van Nistelrooy left to join Atletico’s rivals Real.
The 22-year-old Torres, who has also been heavily linked with Chelsea, moved to head off the reports by signing a one-year contract extension with Atletico.
But it is now claimed Sir Alex Ferguson has agreed to make a down-payment of £5m in a bid to beat Chelsea to the signing of Torres, who netted four goals at the World Cup.
The striker, nicknamed ‘El Nino’, had a buy-out clause worth £41m in his contract however Atletico have reportedly dropped the price because of United’s ‘show of faith’ and his apparent desire to move to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Glenn Roeder has denied reports he has fallen out with Sir Alex Ferguson over Newcastle’s treatment of loan star Giuseppe Rossi at St James’.
Italy Under-21 striker Rossi has not started a game for the Magpies since his loan move from Manchester United and there have been rumours circulating in the north-west that Ferguson is annoyed at the youngster’s lack of action.
“Giuseppe Rossi has made a big impression,” Roeder said.
