Djibril Cisse's agents are reportedly in talks with Atletico Madrid about the Frenchman being a makeweight in the Fernando Torres deal. Spanish newspaper AS claims that Rafa Benitez has instructed Cisse to open negotiations with Atletico as they refuse to accept an offer of £16m plus Luis Garcia for Torres. Liverpool will not pay the £27m fee for Torres and are desperate to make a deal that will see a squad player moving in the opposite direction. Atletico are apparently already making plans for life after Torres, offering around £13m plus Mista for Villarreal striker Diego Forlan. But Villarreal representative Jose Manuel Llaneza says any club that wants to buy Forlan away will have to meet the asking price.
"Villarreal does not want to bother negotiating for Forlan," said Llaneza in Marca. "His value is 23 million euros (£17m)." Forlan was apparently considered by Rafa Benitez, but the Uruguayan is a little overpriced for the Spaniard's liking.
