But Italian club Juventus FC is considering offering the misfiring striker a chance to test himself in Serie A and escape the West London limelight, according to Goal.com.
“[Juventus] Sporting director Fabio Paratici has already contacted Margarita Garay, the player’s former agent and still a member of his entourage, to discuss a potential summer move,” Goal.com reports.
“General director Giuseppe Marotta wants to see whether Torres has what it takes to succeed in the Italian top flight before signing him on a permanent basis though, and therefore wants to sign the attacker on a one-year loan deal, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of his initial spell.”
Torres joined Chelsea in January 2011 for a British-record £50 million ($80 million), but became a squad player within 12 months. Chelsea is chasing a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, and he does not start most league games.
He scored the winning goal for Spain in the final of the 2008 European Championships. Four years later, he’s in danger not making the 23-man squad for the title defense.
Earlier this season, Torres claimed he has struggled to adapt to life in London because he has few Spanish-speaking friends in the capital city.
Moving to Turin, Italy won’t solve that particular problem, but a change of scenery could be what he needs to revive his ailing fortunes in front of goal. The work of Juventus manager Antonio Conte has lifted the club back to elite status in the Italian game. He could fill Torres with the self-belief that his been glaringly absent from his game. Juventus will almost certainly qualify for next season’s Champions League, and provide him with an opportunity to play at the highest level.
A season-long loan would give both the club and the player an evaluation period long enough to decide whether or not to make the move a permanent. In December, Chelsea was reportedly offering Torres to potential suitors for £20 million ($30.8 million). It’s likely that the club would expect a similar fee if it strikes a deal this summer.
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