Reds closing in on Torres

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has reassured fans he is working on signings “all the time” as he closes in on Fernando Torres.

The Reds boss remained tight-lipped over any deal between the Reds and Atletico Madrid for the striker but sources close to the club insist that only personal terms with the 23-year-old Spanish international now need to be concluded when he returns from holiday next week.

The Anfield club are expected to pay close to the £27m buy-out clause in the player’s contract and while Benitez refused to name names he did admit he hoped new players would be arriving “soon”.

Benitez said: “You must always be excited at the start of a new season. You must also have confidence in your team and hopefully we will soon bring in the new players that we want to make the squad better.

“We are working on new signings all the time. As I’ve already said, the spine of the team is in place and now we just need to add to that.”

Djibril Cisse appears to have moved closer to a permanent move away from Anfield after his agent Ranko Stojic revealed the striker wants to join Marseille, where he spent last season on loan.

Stojic admitted West Ham had enquired about the Frenchman’s services but insists it is a move to his homeland which appeals most to the forward.

He told the Independent: “Marseille is definitely the choice for Djibril. I think the deal will happen on Friday or Saturday.

“I have been very busy this week – I caught six planes in two days – and I am sorry for the people I have not had the chance to call back – Mr Eggert Magnusson of West Ham for example.”