By David Lee Wheatley
Is there something in the (Barcelona) air, Fernando?
Barcelona look set to tempt Chelsea with a £17 million bid for their forlorn striker Fernando Torres.
If accepted, the amount in question represents a massive £33 million loss on the transfer fee the Londoners handed Liverpool for the Spain international in January 2011.
It's been a difficult period in Torres' career since shortly before leaving Anfield, but it appears that the once-feared number nine is getting back to a level akin to his best, which he readily displayed while with Atlético Madrid and Liverpool.
Despite hitting 22 goals last season, only 8 came in the Premier League and doubts still hang over the troubled forward as he struggles to reach the peak of his powers once more. On top of that, Torres has struggled to hold on to his place in the Spanish national team due to the lean times he has experienced.
Many believed that a move to Stamford Bridge would reignite his appetite for the game after the latter part of his spell with Liverpool tailed-off horribly. However, things got even worse thanks to a crisis of confidence and no lack of injury troubles.
Torres has suffered numerous dark moments during his stay in west London, including some truly terrible misses in front of goal. However, it appears that an end is in sight with the Catalan giants reportedly ready with an offer to take the Madrid-born striker back to his homeland.
Tito Vilanova is desperate to add firepower to his side, bearing in mind that David Villa is likely to leave and Alexis Sanchez has been less than impressive at times during the campaign just gone. Brazilian superstar Neymar has already signed up, but head coach Vilanova still seems determined to add an out-and-out striker to the line-up. It's Barcelona's belief that the 29-year-old is back to somewhere approaching his best and that he can only flourish in La Liga after six years away in England.
Barcelona are all too aware what a fit and healthy Fernando Torres is capable of, as evidenced by his strikes for Atlético against the Blaugrana in the past. The opportunity to team him up with Neymar, Messi, Iniesta et al is a mouth-watering prospect and could provide the Chelsea man with the boost his career badly needs.
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