Liverpool striker Fernando Torres wants to leave the club because he feels that he can develop further as a player at a different club, according to journalist Guillem Balague.
Torres rejected interest from both Chelsea and Manchester City in the summer to stay with the club because of the loyalty he felt towards the club and its fans.
The Spanish World Cup winner shocked his employers this week by handing in a transfer request after Chelsea lodged an offer for the striker’s services.
Liverpool promptly rejected the request and stated they expected Torres to honour his contract.
“For Fernando Torres to take the step that he has taken to hand in a transfer request officially, knowing perfectly well the philosophy of the club and the love the fans have for him, it’s a huge step," Balague told Sky Sports.
"He’s done it because something was brewing in his mind, something made him realise that the pace of the club is not the pace that he needs in terms of developing.
“In his head the need to go is so huge that he is going to have to handle whatever the consequences of that is.”
Torres had still been expected to stay after the Merseyside club rejected his transfer request, however it now seems that Liverpool are open to negotiation for their striker.
Balague added: “It is clear they are talking and there is at least the possibility of a negotiation and we have to wait until 11 o’clock tomorrow [the transfer deadline] to find out.”
