The Rumour Mill: Is Fernando Torres Heading To Chelsea?

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich didn’t look pleased after his side crashed unceremoniously out of the Champions League on Tuesday. But that doesn’t mean he’s giving up.

After firing a warning shot across Ancelotti’s bows (something along the lines of “Bring me the Premier League or your resignation letter”), he has allegedly offered a £100m war chest in a final attempt to snatch the final club trophy that eludes him.

Top of the list of targets is Liverpool’s Fernando Torres , someone who has been making waves of his own in recent weeks. With Franck Ribery, David Villa, and Marek Hamsik also on the shopping list, he might need to shell out a bit more if he wants to land them all.

Also heading for the Liverpool exit could be Albert Riera. The disillusioned winger has hit out at Rafa Benitez to Spanish press giants AS and Marca, claiming his manager has something personal against him.

He went on to say, “He thinks that it is him in charge and he is deaf to everything else”. Riera seems to be signing his own release documents, then, with a return to Spain a likely move.

The Reds could look to replace him through Wigan’s conveyor belt of South American talent, with in-form striker Hugo Rodallega the latest name linked with a transfer to a bigger club .

Liverpool face competition for the Colombian, rated at £15m by the Latics, as he is also wanted by Stoke, Birmingham and Aston Villa.

Villa are also being linked to Robbie Keane , who has rediscovered his touch in front of goal whilst on loan at Celtic from Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are unlikely to want the Irishman back in their squad, after Roman Pavlyuchenko’s recent run in the side convinced him to decide to stay at White Hart Lane .

Other rumours this week have included Madrid’s quest to sign Wayne Rooney, Villa’s attempt to sign Thomas Kuszczak, Rafa’s interest in Stephen Ireland, Stoke City’s desire to sign Jermaine Pennant, and the perennial favourite, Fabregas to Barcelona.

Improbable Rumour Of The Week:
Rap star P Diddy is in the market for an English football club and has opted to place a bid for Crystal Palace . Did he just like the name, or does he think that their home games are in some kind of jewel-encrusted castle?