Torres deal looks out of City’s reach – boss

MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini fears the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League will cost them any chance of signing Fernando Torres.

Mancini, whose side drew 1–1 with West Ham in the final match of the season thanks to Shaun Wright-Phillips’ equaliser, has admitted that City need to sign “top players” – and he rated Torres in that bracket along with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports have linked City and new Premier League champions Chelsea with moves for Liverpool’s Spanish striker valued at up to £70million.

But City will have to settle for Europa League football next season after their hopes of breaking into the top four were wrecked by last Wednesday night’s home defeat to Tottenham.