Atletico Madrid won't consider selling star man Fernando Torres for anything less than his £27 million buyout clause.

The Guardian says Atletico president, Enrique Cerezo, has grown tired of the speculation surrounding his captain and any bids will be rebuffed unless they trigger the release clause in his contract. That figure is understood to be around £27m, a sum out of the reach of United, Liverpool and even Chelsea, given Roman Abramovich's recent indications that such big spending at Stamford Bridge will cease.

"Torres is an Atletico Madrid player and I think he will stay here for many years to come," Cerezo said recently. "This happens every year. Everyone talks about rumours and throws figures about but Atletico are clear. Anyway, even if we put him up for sale, would he really want to leave?"