Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is ready to make a £40 million bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

The News of the World says is determined to test the resolve of Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett with the sort of offer they can't refuse.

The move for the man who scored 33 goals for Liverpool last season has already been discussed with Roman Abramovich, who has instructed Peter Kenyon to test the Reds' resolve.

Kenyon wants to exploit the unrest on Merseyside between the Americans, who backed Kop boss Rafael Benitez with the £21.5m to sign the Spanish striker last summer.

Scolari is encouraged by reports that the Torres camp has privately admitted the 24-year-old would be interested in a switch to Stamford Bridge.

A Chelsea insider revealed: "Scolari is well aware it will be a real battle to try to get Torres out of Liverpool.

"But he's ready to make the sort of bid that will make even the Americans sit up and take notice.

"Obviously he knows that Liverpool don't want to sell one of their star assets but he still believes he can exploit the trouble and turmoil at Anfield to get his man."