Chelsea, Manchester City in a race to get ace striker Torres

Chelsea is all set to match Manchester City in order to get Spanish striker Fernando Torres this summer.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has been given the go-ahead to bid for 50 million pounds-rated Liverpool striker Torres.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: "If it was good for the club then we can make an exception to buy a marquee player."

"We have to challenge for trophies. We have a good squad and don't feel we are required to spend a huge amount.

"It's a balancing act between keeping to our strategy of trying to become self-sufficient and improving the team," The Sun quoted Gourlay, as syaing.

"However, we want to let our on-field success drive our commercial income and any decision about signings will be made by Ancelotti," he said.

"There is a balance to be had between young players coming through from the academy and those players that we might sign," Gourlay added.