They weren't bothered what it cost as it got passed on to Chelsea, if they'd paid £5m Torres would have cost Chelsea £20m, or if Carrol was £50m, Torres would have cost Chelsea £65m, it's only been common knowledge for almost a year.
This is complete nonsense man. If Ashley had accepted £20million for Carroll, then by this logic they would have sold Torres for £35million, even though Chelsea were prepared to part with £50million, thus screwing themselves out of £15million for absolutely no logical reason.
It's a nonsense excuse designed to justify a ridiculous transfer fee. I thought only Liverpool fans would be thick enough to swallow it.