Manchester City are set to rub salt in Liverpool's Premier League wounds by preparing a £40m bid for Fernando Torres in the summer.
The Blues moved into pole position in the race for fourth place with a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday - and if they pip the Merseyside giants to that vital Champions League spot, they will also try to prise away their rival's brightest star.
Torres gave City all the encouragement they needed by hinting that Liverpool need to spend big in the close season to meet his personal ambitions.
But Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is working on a limited budget, as owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have piled up £237m of debt.
That financial fix will get much worse if Liverpool fail to get in the Champions League.
So City can pull off a double-whammy by pipping them to fourth spot - and then testing their resolve to keep their ace striker with a massive bid.
Torres has, for the first time, expressed some concern about the club's future and, while declaring himself happy, also left the exit door slightly ajar.
"If we do not reinforce the squad, next year all we will be able to do is fight for fourth again," he said.
"Being in the Champions League is not so important for me. What is really important is that the club brings in important players to improve the quality of the squad.
"I want to be fighting for the Premier League, the Champions League or the Europa League, but to do this we need signings to come.
"We need four or five top-class players to compete, players better than ones we have."
Spaniard Torres says he does not want a summer return to La Liga, even though Real Madrid and Barcelona are sure to compete with City if there is any sniff of a chance of buying him.
A move to Old Trafford is unlikely given the great rivalry between United and Liverpool.
He said: "I don't plan on going back to La Liga for a while. I like it here, and people have treated me as one of their own.
"I am happy here and hopefully my future is here. I think the club deserves more, but they know they are a long way away. The fans are worried that players are going to leave."
Meanwhile, City boss Roberto Mancini has distanced himself from speculation that he could be Italy's next manager when Marcello Lippi, 61, steps down after the World Cup.
Mancini said: "No, I have said maybe in 10 years. I don't know. No, it's not for me now."
Do you think City will land Torres? Have your say.
City on Torres watch!
March 15, 2010
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Fernando Torres
Showing 1 to 25 of 110 comments | View All
Peter Doherty. As good as it gets! (Was it really 37 (THIRTY-SEVEN) years?), Levenshulme (15/03/2010 at 09:12)
Raziola, Sport City (15/03/2010 at 09:17)
DID WE??
PJS, Oz (15/03/2010 at 09:20)
If Liverpool arent competitive, i dont think he will hesitate moving but will never consider us when we arent above Liverpool. If anyone is favorites in England to land him, its Chelsea (if they want him)
Real Mancs Are Blue, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 09:23)
bluemoon risin' (15/03/2010 at 09:25)
Has the for sale sign gone up yet down Busby way?
ocean finance on the phone without delay
"we can help, to save eviction
from your debt, that's gonna grow"
Rags get fleeced there, every season
And Glazer's know, you'll still pay your dough
[chorus]
Come a come a come a come a come come a come on Malcolm
don't sell don't go, don't sell don't go
City fans all love you cos you're wreckin' the rag fans dreams
Red gold and green, red gold and green...
You can see the rag knights marching on their way
To buy the Glazer's out without delay
That's a fact, not science fiction
Those rag knights are getting strong
All decked out, in Norwich colours
Malc Knows they're wrong, so here's my song..
[chorus]
Come a come a come a come a come come a come on Malcolm
don't sell don't go, don't sell don't go
Dollars don't come easy so raise prices to live your dream
Rag gold and green, rag gold and green...
Every dime counts for survival
So carry on Malc - ripoff our rivals
Every dime counts for survival
Blues love Glazers - but not our rivals
I'm a manc with blue conviction
I'm a manc who doesn't know
if you're Man ure, or if you're Norwich
I'm so confused, just let me know
Come a come a come a come a come come a come on Malcolm
don't sell, don't go, don't sell don't go
Dollars don't come easy so raise prices to live your dream
Rag gold and green, Theatre of screams...
Simpson James (15/03/2010 at 09:29)
Keith Flynn (15/03/2010 at 09:31)
The Doctor, Worsley (15/03/2010 at 09:40)
proudtobeblue (15/03/2010 at 09:52)
blueballs (15/03/2010 at 09:54)
15/03/2010 at 09:25
Truly inspired. Don't know if it'll catch on in the East stand but it deserves a standing ovation. Take a bow sir (or madam).
Blue Moon..., Manchester (15/03/2010 at 09:56)
Philip Lahm LB
Stevan Jovetic ML or anywhere in midfield or behind striker
Marek Hamsik Attacking midfielder, the new Lampard...
Neven Subotic Centre Half, good old fashioned no nonsense
Anyone got any thoughts on these?
CTID
blueballs (15/03/2010 at 09:57)
bbcity Caboolture Au, Australia (15/03/2010 at 10:03)
clause, denmark (15/03/2010 at 10:18)
Esso Blue. Dark Flow/Dark Energy/Dark Matter/ Invisible, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 10:25)
Mabalsa Ricci, Manchester (15/03/2010 at 10:25)
Philip Lahm LB
Stevan Jovetic ML or anywhere in midfield or behind striker
Marek Hamsik Attacking midfielder, the new Lampard...
Neven Subotic Centre Half, good old fashioned no nonsense
Anyone got any thoughts on these?
CTID
Blue Moon..., Manchester
Agree with every one of them mate, couple of new strikers would be nice as well!!
Hands of Stone, Southside, Manchester UK (15/03/2010 at 10:37)
carrick16 (15/03/2010 at 10:38)
Blue Pauly, London (15/03/2010 at 10:48)
mrcakey (15/03/2010 at 10:49)
On the subject of Torres - if you have your blue tinted spectacles on you can read every word he says here as "I'll be playing for City next season".
Would be a tremendous capture.
mrcakey (15/03/2010 at 10:50)
YadYads (15/03/2010 at 10:54)
Higuain and Torres up front next season? That'll ding dang do for me.
3 world class players away from the title, Believe
ted knott, droylsden (15/03/2010 at 10:59)
In truth we aren't playing like a team that has great aspirations because in the first half yesterday we were dreadful even the 'happy clappers' cant deny that!
I have said it many times since Mancini arrived and that is we wont finish in the top four playing three holding midfielders,obviously 'Manny' wont change his format so I'm giving up on it now but hope our team do it we have to this season because our yardstick from Old Trafford are pulling further away from us and I'm not just referring to their 16 points advantage over us in the current campaign I mean their continuing success coupled with the 34/35 year stigma and as everyones guessed I doubt Mancini's ability to at least bring City some glory.
Lets hope I am wrong!!!!
gold coast blue, goldcoast australia (15/03/2010 at 11:03)
you can help us to make history, thanks to abu dahbi, fernado.
tueartsoverheadkick, manchester (15/03/2010 at 11:05)