Chelsea has agreed a fee with Liverpool to sign Fernando Torres in what could be British football's most expensive transfer.
A Liverpool statement says the Spain striker "has now been given permission to speak to the London club."
British media say Chelsea will pay about 50 million pounds ($80 million) for Torres.
Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez is widely recognized as being the most expensive player in British football after moving from Man United for about 47 million pounds in 2009.
Liverpool looks set to replace Torres, who has spent 3 1/2 years at Liverpool after his move from Atletico Madrid, with Newcastle striker Andy Carroll and Ajax forward Luis Suarez on the final day of Europe's January transfer window.
