Roberto Di Matteo’s top transfer target last summer at Chelsea was reportedly Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao.
However, as the Daily Mail suggest, owner Roman Abramovich was reportedly clear in his message to the Italian manager, who was sacked this week – Fernando Torres would be the 2012-13 season’s main striker at Stamford Bridge.
Torres has struggled for form since moving to London from Liverpool and Di Matteo, who was appointed full time as manager over the summer after winning the Champions League in May, was apparently keen to replace him with Falcao.
The Colombian striker was the subject of intense speculation over the summer and has continued to attract transfer rumours through this season, with a move to Manchester City, Chelsea or Real Madrid still up for suggestion.
However, with today’s report in England, the indication is that Chelsea are focused on former Atleti star Torres, who will this week start work under Di Matteo’s replacement at the club, Rafa Benitez.
