Laporta reveals Torres talks

The Barca supremo revealed that Atletico had no intention of cashing in on their teenage striking sensation, and insisted that the only way he would ever leave the Vicente Calderon would be if his release clause was met.

That currently stands at ‚é¼90 million (£60 million), but Laporta did add that he would make a big push to sign Torres if his coaching staff asked for the player next summer.

"They (Atletico) told me that they would not sell Torres," declared Laporta.

However, the Catalan chief intriguingly went on to add that only a mind-boggling offer from an 'Arab sheikh' or a 'Russian tycoon' would prise Torres from Los Rojiblancos.

The reference is a clear hint that Roman Abramovich-backed Chelsea could well be the team to move for the Spanish international, and the West Londoners have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old.

"He (Torres) will not leave Atletico Madrid unless an excessive offer arrives from an Arab sheikh or a Russian tycoon," he continued.

"Unless the (Barcelona) coaches ask us to make a great effort to bring him, which I don't expect them to, then we will not do it."

Laporta also revealed that he was offered the chance to launch a last-gasp bid for recent Arsenal signing Jose Antonio Reyes.

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido called his Barca counterpart to inform him of Arsenal's bid, but Laporta admits that when he heard the sum on offer, he advised del Nido to cash in.

"(When he told me of the bid) I said take the money and run."