Manchester City actually OUTBID Liverpool for former Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres last week, it has been revealed.

The Sunday Mirror says Torres moved to Anfield in a club-record £26.5m deal from Atletico Madrid during the week - but only after City had offered £30m and a promise to better his £90,000-a-week Liverpool wages.

City's late bid had Liverpool's officials worried until Atletico assured them that Torres had not even wanted time to consider the Blues' offer such was his desire to join the Merseyside club.

A Liverpool source said: "There was more money on the table for Fernando, but he was determined only to come here."