The Substitute For Owen Was In The Wings

Torres is one of the most precocious talents in European football and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is known to be a huge admirer of his skills. "It is certain that Newcastle were willing to pay €38 million for Fernando Torres in a single payment," said Martin.

"But they [Atletico] said that the player is not for sale. Newcastle shuffled two options, that of Torres and that of Owen. They thought that the Atletico Madrid forward was a great signing, bearing in mind that [Albert] Luque is in the team."

Torres is one of the most sought-after players in Spain and shows to what length the chairman was willing to go to bring a top striker to the club.