Fernando Torres goes to AC Milan on loan while Loic Remy looks set to join Chelsea

CHELSEA striker Fernando Torres is ending his miserable spell at Stamford Bridge and joining AC Milan on loan for the next two seasons.

FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday, April 30, 2014, Chelsea's Fernando Torres, centre tries to get past Atletico's Miranda, left during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London. According to an announcement released by Chelsea soccer club Friday Aug. 29, 2014, Italian club AC Milan have agreed terms for a two-year loan deal for striker Fernando Torres. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth FILE)

CHELSEA striker Fernando Torres is ending his miserable spell at Stamford Bridge by joining AC Milan on loan for the next two seasons.

Torres has endured a difficult time with the Blues since his then-British record $82.9m move from Liverpool in January 2011.

The 30-year-old Spain international was unable to repeat his prolific Liverpool form in west London and has scored just 45 goals in 172 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea.

He was believed to be Blues boss Jose Mourinho’s third-choice striker behind new signings Diego Costa and Didier Drogba this season, and that drop down the pecking order - he had yet to make it onto the pitch this season - persuaded him to consider Milan’s offer.

Fernando Torres scores for Chelsea... it didn’t happen too often.

“Chelsea Football Club and AC Milan have agreed terms for the two-year loan deal of Fernando Torres to the Italian club,” a statement on Chelsea’s website announced.

“The move is now subject to Fernando agreeing personal terms with AC Milan and passing a medical examination.”

And Chelsea haven’t waited long to find a replacement, with a deal for Loic Remy apparently in the works.

Remy, who has almost a Liverpool earlier in the off season before the Anfield club scuppered the move after his medical, played last season on loan at Newcastle but has been back at parent club QPR for the opening two games of this season.

Chelsea are reportedly ready to pay his release clause in the next few days - believed to be around $18 million.

Mourinho had reportedly been targeting Roma striker Mattia Destro as a Torres replacement but the Serie A club have insisted the young forward is not for sale.

Daley Blind was a revelation in Brazil.

BLIND SET FOR OLD TRAFFORD MOVE

The reinforcements are coming for Manchester United, with news that Dutch international Daley Blind has agreed a deal that could be in excess of $25 million.

He is set to fly to Manchester on Sunday (EST) to have a medical and discuss personal terms.

Here is a reminder of what he could bring to Louis Van Gaal’s side.

If Daley Blind is coming - another excuse to see this. @BlindDaley's pass to @Persie_Official. Holland v Spain #MUFC https://t.co/5klKB3YtNB

— Man Utd Universe (@ManUtdUniverse) August 29, 2014

TOP FOUR FINISH IS VITAL TO VAN GAAL

On the back of the Blind acquisition, Louis Van Gaal has been quoted as saying that he is targeting Champions League success by 2017 and that he must get them in the top four of the EPL this seaosn.

Some would say that’s quite fanciful considering their start to the season - one point out of two league games and that humiliating loss to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup, but he is sticking to his guns.

“I hope we are in the top four this season - it suits a club like Man United,” Van Gaal said.

“And then maybe the next step is to be (English) champions and then the next step is to be the winners of the Champions League.

“When I started with the Dutch national team (in 2012), no one believed we could qualify (for the World Cup.

“After that, they said we wouldn’t have any chance to get through the group stage, and after that (they said) we’ll lose against every opponent.”

As far as player movement goes at Old Trafford, a new name has emerged on Van Gaal’s most desired list - Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero

Italian broadcaster Sportitalia is sayingVan Gaal is keen on taking Romero, who currently plays for Sampdoria, to Old Trafford to provide competition to number 1 David de Gea.

And, of course, there are a usual suspects - Arturo Vidal and William Carvalho - awaiting word of whether they will be part of the massive United rebuild.

Adrien Rabiot is set to join Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.

WILL WENGER SPLASH THE CASH?

Down in north-east London, there continue to be conflicting reports as to whether Arsene Wenger will pursue a striker to replace the injured Olivier Giroud.

With Radamel Falcao reportedly off the table, the Gunners are being linked with Edinson Cavani, Torino ace Alessio Cerci and Swansea’s Wilfried Bony.

Wenger has agreed a fee to bring young French midfielder Adrien Rabiot to the Emirates from PSG while reports have the aforementioned Carvalho linked heavily to the club as well.

TRANSFER HEADLINES

- QPR have reportedly signed Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, which is good news for former Socceroo Adam Federici

- Aston Villa is still talking with Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley over a move while refusing to release the frustrating Darren Bent.

- Just three weeks into his Southampton career, loanee Saphir Taidir is on his way back to Italy and a move to Sassuolo

- Tottenham are closing in on a deal for French defensive midfielder Bejamin Stambouli while Roberto Soldado is nearing a loan deal to Juventus and Lewis Holtby could be joining Hamburg.

Originally published as Fernando Torres goes to AC Milan on loan while Loic Remy looks set to join Chelsea