United and Chelsea in battle for Torres

Manchester United and Chelsea are locked in a battle to sign Spanish World Cup sensation Fernando Torres.

Manchester United and Chelsea are locked in a battle to sign Spanish World Cup sensation Fernando Torres.

The bitter Premiership rivals both want to sign 'El Nino' from La Liga club Atletico Madrid. And according to The Sunday Mirror Atletico have received a bid that matches their reported £25million valuation of the player.

Now Torres must decide whether he wants to move to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge once the finals in Germany are over.

He has been hugely impressive so far as Spain have reached the knockout stages - scoring three goals in the process.

READ MORE

Torres has been repeatedly linked with a move to England for the last three years - Chelsea are reported to have made a £28million bid for him shortly after Roman Abramovich bought the club in the summer of 2003.

And now, with Jose Mourinho impressed by his international displays, they are set to try again to lure Torres away from the Spanish capital.

United meanwhile are desperate to find a replacement for Ruud van Nistelrooy - who seems set to leave once the World Cup is over.

The Reds want around £15million for the out-of-favour Dutchman, and German giants Bayern Munich have already confirmed their interest. To pair him up front with Roy Makaay would form a dream Dutch strike partnership.