Reds block £40m striker deal

Chelsea's hopes of signing Spanish ace Fernando Torres are fading after Liverpool insisted he is not for sale "at any price".

Torres has frequently been linked with a club record £40million switch to Stamford Bridge since the appointment of 'Big Phil' Scolari as Avram Grant's replacement - which would smash the £30million fee paid to AC Milan for Andriy Shevchenko two years ago.

The Spaniard was an instant hit in his first season in the Premier League, scoring 33 goals, but rumours of a move have been fuelled by suggestions that he is unhappy living in Merseyside.

But Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has ruled out the possibility of a switch and insisted there is no chance of the striker leaving Anfield, whatever the price.

"There is no price at which we would consider selling Fernando Torres," he said. "The Chelsea rumours in the media are total rubbish."

Torres has also moved to crush speculation linking him away from the Merseyside club after he said last week that he would not leave the club.

"I have no intention of leaving. We have to focus our energies to give the little step we need to get to the top teams," he said.