The 2010 World Cup winner was linked with a move to the J-League and MLS after calling time with his childhood club Atletico Madrid in May.

But with the former Chelsea and Liverpool striker tempering his wage demands, Spanish media is reporting he could be headed Down Under.

Football Federation Australia is willing to stump up some of the fee to lure the 34-year-old to the A-League and the Sky Blues are understood to be actively chasing his signature.

Sydney are looking more flush since pocketing over $2 million for the sale of 2017/18 Golden Boot winner, Bobo, and Polish playmaker and Johnny Warren medallist, Adrian Mierzejewski.

The departures leave new coach Steve Corica with an attacking deficit, making Torres an even more attractive proposition.

Corica said on Saturday: “We have some very exciting targets who we are talking to and I’m looking forward to bringing in more quality to an already experienced and talented squad."

Meanwhile, Victory have also been shorn of some spark up front following the exit of the A-League's all-time leading scorer, Besart Berisha, to J-League outfit, Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

According to French magazine Lucarne Opposée Torres was one of a handful of veteran international stars targeted as potential marquees back in May, including Franck Ribéry, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Keisuke Honda and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Honda recently announced his retirement from international football after Japan exited the World Cup in the Round of 16.