Chelsea tempt Liverpool with £40m bid for Fernando Torres

This is the third attempt by Chelsea to try to sign the striker. A £28 million and £32 million offer was refused.

If the offer is accepted, it will represent a British transfer record.

Torres who has scored 65 goals in 102 Premier League games for Liverpool shocked the club and fans after he handed in his transfer request on Friday.

Liverpool are reported to have refused the transfer request as new coach Kenny Dalglish is determined to retain the services for Torres.

It has also been reported that Torres is desperate for Champions League football, and the scenario at Liverpool this season seem very unlikely that they will take part in next seasons Champions League.

Another factor is that Chelsea owner Abramovich has been advised to complete the transfer in January, rather in the summer to make it easier for Chelsea to comply with the new UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.