Anzhi Makhachkala are keen to rescue Fernando Torres from his dismal experience at Chelsea. The People says Anzhi manager Guus Hiddink has a good relationship with Roman Abramovich and the pair are understood to have discussed the difficult situation Torres has encountered at Stamford Bridge.

And the mega-rich Russians are the only club willing to pay Chelsea a fee that comes anywhere close to the £50million they paid Liverpool for him.

Abramovich is hoping Benitez will prove to be the man to get the best out of Torres - but if it does not work out Anzhi are now favourites to sign him.

The club already have a big-name front man in Samuel Eto'o and Hiddink is planning to step down as manager at the end of the season.

That does not impact on a potential Torres transfer, though, as Brazilian Roberto Carlos - Anzhi's sporting director - is also backing the push to get Torres on board.