This is a surprise.
Fernando Torres was a great player once. The Spanish striker made an instant impact at Liverpool back in 2007, scoring 33 goals in 46 games in his debut season in the Premier League.
He then went to Euro 2008 and scored the winning goal in the final against Germany.
Before injuries took their toll, and he lost his blistering pace, Torres was one of Europe’s most feared strikers. He won the World Cup, and two European Championships with Spain, earning 110 caps and scoring 38 goals.
Chelsea paid £50m for the striker in January 2011, and he went on to win the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.
However, despite only being 26 when he joined, Torres wasn’t the player he once was and never reached double figures for goals in a Premier League season again.
A brief spell with AC Milan followed, before Torres rejoined Atletico Madrid, his boyhood team, in January 2015.
After 28 goals in 115 games for Diego Simeone’s side, the player is on the move again after his contract with the club expired.
The 33-year-old is in the autumn of his career, but he’s probably still be capable of doing a job for a team in a less demanding league.
Few would be surprised if Torres was to join up with a franchise in MLS, or a team in the Chinese Super League. However, Torres looks set to test himself in Mexican football, which is a step above the level in either China or the United States.
According to ESPN Mexico, the striker is in advanced talks with Liga MX side Queretaro, and could be about to sign a two-year deal worth $5m a year.
Queretaro finished 15th in the regular season last year. Ronaldinho played for the club for the 2014/15 season.
According to the ESPN report, the final issue holding up the deal is Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban. The Mexican club are awaiting confirmation that they are free to sign Torres, who’s contract with Atletico expired at the end of last season.
