Last Updated: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:18
Liverpool have turned down "some very big offers" for star striker Fernando Torres this summer, according to manager Rafa Benitez.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid have been credited with an interest in the Spain international, while speculation about the future of influential midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano is ongoing.
Benitez has insisted he has no intention of breaking up his squad for the sake of a quick profit and is adamant that record signing Torres has no desire to leave.
He said: "We have had some very big offers for some of our key players this summer - and that includes Fernando Torres.
"Clubs wanted Fernando and we were contacted by agents working for those clubs.
"But we always knew that when a bid came in we would say 'no'.
"The main thing was that Torres wanted to stay here. People knew the player wanted to stay, but it did not stop clubs trying.
"We wanted to send out a message that Liverpool are a strong team and that we want to improve. You don't improve by selling your best players."
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