I quit! Torres hands in transfer request but Liverpool knock back Spain striker after sealing £22.8m Suarez

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 18:31 EDT, 28 January 2011

Liverpool have confirmed that they have rejected a transfer request from Fernando Torres after earlier in the day sealing a deal to sign striker Luis Suarez.

Ajax finally relented to sell Suarez to the Merseyside club and he becomes Kenny Dalglish's first signing since returning as manager. But that good news has been overshadowed by Torres's demand to quit the club, after Chelsea had bid £35million for the Spain forward on Thursday.

The club said in a statement:  'Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool.  

'Fernando is under long term contract and the Club expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement.'

Wanted man: Fernando Torres (right) is tempted by the offer from Chelsea

Suarez, 24, has yet to pass a medical and agree personal terms but those two issues are unlikely to be stumbling blocks.

A Liverpool statement read: 'Liverpool Football Club announced this afternoon that they had agreed a fee of up to 26.5million Euros with Ajax for the transfer of Luis Suarez, subject to the completion of a medical.

'The club have now been given permission by Ajax to discuss personal terms with the player and his representatives.'

Having argued over the Uruguay international's value for some time Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group have sanctioned their first major signing since buying the club in October.

Liverpool face a fight to hold on to Torres after he asked them to consider Chelsea's sensational £35million bid.

On his way: Luis Suarez is swapping Ajax for Liverpool in the January transfer window

The Blues lodged the stunning offer with their Barclays Premier League rivals but Liverpool revealed they have rejected the deal.

However, it has now emerged that Torres - who has struggled for form this season - has hinted he would like to join the champions by asking his club to reconsider the offer.

Suarez's imminent arrival, which would give Torres support up front if he stays, is a key moment in FSG's short three-month reign.

Much had been made of their approach to transfers, with the long-term plan being to bring in players who represent greater value.

However, last week chairman Tom Werner admitted they would be prepared to spend heavily on a star name if it benefited the club's long-term interest.

At 24, Suarez fits the profile of the type of player they have in mind, and he has been prolific in the Eredivisie, scoring 111 goals in 159 matches since joining the Dutch giants in the summer of 2007.