Inter Milan offer Chelsea misfit Torres £20m escape route to join Vidic at the San Siro



Inter want Fernando Torres to join Nemanja Vidic , who has agreed to join the Italian side when his contract runs out at Manchester United

Blues have summer hitlist featuring Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa, Monaco's Radamel Falcao and AC Milan's Mario Balotelli

Chelsea want to make big-money signing but need to sell because of UEFA's Financial Fair Play restrictions

Inter Milan are plotting a summer move for Fernando Torres and have the funds to pay the £20million fee Chelsea will demand for the striker who holds the British transfer record.

Torres has just over two years left on the £150,000-a-week deal he signed three years ago when he arrived from Liverpool for £50m and has been left in no doubt that Jose Mourinho will prioritise a big-money replacement.

Misfit: Chelsea are ready to cut their losses on striker Fernando Torres

Mourinho was caught on camera less than two weeks in a private conversation with the boss of a Swiss watch company complaining that his team did not have a striker as it challenged for the Barclays Premier League title.

Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa, Monaco's Radamel Falcao and AC Milan's Mario Balotelli are among his targets but Chelsea must recoup much of their spending to keep within UEFA's Financial Fair Play restrictions.

Torres is one who will command a decent fee, even if his value has plummeted during three inconsistent years at Stamford Bridge.

Inter's new owner, Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir insists he will not waste millions on rebuilding the team but he backed manager Walter Mazzarri in January by funding a £17m swoop for Hernanes.

Representatives from the Italian club were in dialogue with Chelsea during the January transfer window, asking about Juan Mata and offering Fredy Guarin in return. No deals were struck but contact was strengthened and the Italians could return for Torres.

Nightmare: Torres has struggled to make an impact since £50m switch from Liverpool

Firepower: Jose Mourinho has list of targets including Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa

Hot shot: Mourinho is keen on being reunited with former Inter striker Mario Balotelli, now at AC Milan

The move for Torres follows Inter announcing the capture of Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic for next season.



Sportsmail revealed how Inter had been first to react to the veteran Manchester United defender’s decision to quit Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The club confirmed they had finally got their man on Wednesday and a picture of Vidic was posted on Inter's official Twitter feed along with a welcome message for the United star that read: 'Here's Vidic signing his contract. See you in June, Nemanja!'

An agreement has been reached on a lucrative three-season deal that will send Vidic into retirement on a high, in terms of status and earnings, at another of Europe's most famous clubs.

Talks: Inter were in for Juan Mata before midfielder joined Manchester United

Ambitious: Inter boss Walter Mazzarri has already landed Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic

On his way: Vidic will join Inter after his contract runs out at Manchester United

The 32-year-old's contract that will be portrayed as being for two years, with an option for a third, but is effectively for three seasons. He needs to make a certain number of appearances for the third year to kick in, but it is believed to be so low – barely double figures each season – that it should be a formality.

With the Serbia centre back out of contract in the summer and a free agent, he has been able to secure a salary of £3m a year after stoppages, despite his best years being behind him.