Edwards shoots down Torres to JDT rumour

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) responded on Wednesday night to one of the wild rumours that were circulating on the internet that they may be in for one Fernando Torres in the upcoming transfer window.

The former Liverpool, Chelsea and current Atletico Madrid forward started his final European match for the Los Rojiblancos in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in the early hours of Thursday morning. 

The 33-year-old has had a very big career for club and country, winning top honours in European cup competitions as well as the European Championships and World Cup. 

Is this a dig at JDT?

JDT's Sports Director, Alistair Edwards in his statement - said that while flattered with the link, said JDT are not a club capable of securing the signing of someone the calibre of Torres.

"There has been a great deal of social media speculation that Fernando Torres will be joining JDT from Atletico Madrid in the next transfer window. Although the club is flattered to be linked to such big name players I can assure you that Torres will not be joining us.

"These type of stories, like many involving JDT are just gossip, we are a small club and not rich as our competitors. We have a limited budget. As for now our budget priority is for the JDT Academy and the development of the new stadium," said Edwards.

Torres moving to Malaysia from being one of the more important squad players at Atletico would raise eyebrows to the drawing power of JDT. The Spaniard's team mate in the 2008 European Championship winning side, Dani Guiza was once on the books of JDT before, so there's at least some precedence there.

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JDT this season has gone about with on a different pathway compared to what they have done previously. Top names were left go that saw the team recoup big money, particularly with the transfer out of Martin Lucero.

The current imports in JDT are not household names like what they had on their books the last few seasons with the likes of Luciano Figueroa and Pablo Aimar donning the blue of Johor.

The more immediate move for JDT could be one that involves an Asian player, given the team's disappointment with the performances of Brian Ferreira thus far. Mohammed Ghaddar is a confirmed target for JDT to replace Ferreira but Kelantan's reluctance to sell has seemingly close the door on that move.