Fernando Torres

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was reportedly “waiting” for a move to FC Barcelona until the very last minute.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard did not want to join Manchester City or Chelsea - who bid £40 million for the player as well as reportedly offering him a huge contract.

Citing a close friend of both Barcelona President Sandro Rosell and Torres – an associate who was said to be responsible for talking to the player – the paper said contact was first made with the striker before the new Nou Camp chief was elected.

Torres was said to be “excited” by the possibility of a transfer to the Catalan club, although it later emerged that Barcelona would only make a move for the 26-year-old should Zlatan Ibrahimovic leave the Nou Camp.

And according to the report, only when it became apparent that the Swede was staying put, did Torres commit his future to Liverpool .

Nevertheless, the paper added that in fact, the Catalan club has not closed its lines of communication with Manchester City and AC Milan over the possible sale of the Ibrahimovic.