Barcelona and Manchester City have agreed an initial €55m (£46.7m) deal for Spanish forward Ferran Torres to move from the Etihad to the Camp Nou with additional clauses that could take the fee to €65m.
Ferran Torres is expected to travel to Barcelona in the coming days to complete a medical and will sign for Barcelona for the next five seasons. This news contradicts Barcelona’s widely publicised financial issues, which almost prevented the club from having enough players to compete in LaLiga this season.
The 21-year-old has been a target of the Catalan club for quite some time now, including the season he moved to Manchester City from Valencia. Barcelona still did not lose interest in the player after he signed for the Manchester side and chased his signature throughout the season.
Following injuries to all of Barcelona’s forward line, he, alongside Manchester City teammates Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, as well as many other attackers, was in the news as names Barcelona were monitoring to help deal with the crisis at the club.
Ferran Torres had not featured for City since late September after suffering a foot injury while on international duty with Spain but still continued to be on Barcelona’s radar. His impressive form which saw him start City’s first six games of the 2021/22 Premier League season as well as all of Spain’s international games until his injury also contributed to his stock staying as high as it did.
The Spain international currently has seven goals from 11 appearances for club and country this season and will now have the opportunity to continue his fine form in another league when he recovers from his injury in January.
The 21-year-old’s signing will come as good news to the Barcelona community who have just lost Sergio Aguero. The veteran striker who was only signed for free this season after 10 years at Manchester City, had to cut his professional career short following a heart condition which he suffered playing in Blaugrana colours.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, values Torres’ contribution at City but has placed a few names ahead of him in his team considerations for each game. Marca reports that Guardiola sanctioned Torres’ move to his former side, considering the €55 million fee a good return for a player who cost the club €27m (£24.5m) in August 2020.
Barcelona to finance Torres’ deal with loan
Barcelona is reportedly going to be adding to their debt portfolio to finance the deal with Manchester City for Ferran Torres.
BBC reports that the Spanish club are able to fund the deal despite their current financial troubles thanks to a recent bank loan. The club will need to offload some players if they are to register the forward in January in compliance with LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations. Sergio Aguero’s exit from the club, however, has freed up some money for Torres’ salary.
Barca’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, is reported by GOAL to have led the discussions with the player, who had previously told Guardiola that he would like to return to Spain. Valencia will receive 10 percent of the transfer fee Barcelona will pay for Torres, in compliance with the forward’s transfer clause from the Mestalla to the Etihad.
Barcelona’s initial bids of €45 million and €50 million were turned down by City who valued the youngster at €70 million. Xavi Hernandez’s keenness to bring him to Camp Nou led Barcelona’s negotiating team to raise their offer
Torres will be giving up Champions League football and a potential second-ever league title as he will be departing the Etihad with Manchester City top of the table. He will be joining a Barcelona side who have struggled this season but are now coming into a good run of form to fight for a top-four spot and to play in the Europa League.
Manchester City may request a swap deal for Torres, reports say
Many Barcelona first-team players are reportedly up for sale as the club looks to reduce its wage bill and offset debts. One such player is former Ajax Amsterdam star Frenkie De Jong, who is valued by Barcelona in the region of the fee which the Catalans will be paying for Ferran Torres.
Spanish outlet El Nacional reports that Barcelona and Manchester City may explore the possibility of a direct swap which will involve no fees exchanged as City have also been long-term admirers of the Netherlands international.
Regardless of the reports from El Nacional, Manchester City could do with the money as they have transfer ambitions of their own to fulfill.
Ferran Torres has been used by Guardiola mostly in the central striker role despite not being a natural central striker. The club is said to be bullish on signing one this summer, and Borussia Dortmund man Erling Haaland is their top target.
The fee paid for Torres could go towards financing this deal, as Haaland will be available for €75 million this summer.
