Torres pleads with Rafa to sign Villa

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is urging Reds boss Rafa Benitez to splash the cash this summer and sign his strike partner at international level, David Villa from Valencia.

Villa has been rumoured to be on the verge of a move to Real Madrid in the last week but the opportunity to play with Torres at club level could persuade him to make the move to Merseyside.

Both Torres and Villa scored during Spain’s 5-0 demolition of New Zealand in the FIFA Confederations Cup on Sunday night, with Torres bagging a hat-trick.

“We play well together and link up so well,” said Torres. “It’s a pleasure to play with him.

“I don’t know if we are the best partnership in the world but we are European champions and that is almost the same.

“Rafa Benitez makes the signings and I’m sure those who come will improve us. If it was me I would bring David Villa. But that may not be possible.”

Villa could cost the Reds a costly price tag at over £20million and with reports today suggesting Benitez is likely to spend £18.5million on Glen Johnson, the big name signing of the summer may already have been chosen.