Manchester City forward Ferran Torres is close to a move back to LaLiga with an agreement already reached with Barcelona for his services, according to reports.
Marca reports that the Spaniard’s agent was in Spain last week to meet with Barcelona’s management concerning a potential switch for his client. The report also claims that Barcelona’s director of football, Mateu Alemany is currently in Manchester to discuss the deal with City’s management as the club prepares for the financial obligations that the signing will impose on them.
Barcelona is looking to bolster their frontline due to the injuries affecting the squad and has been in the market for a new striker. Raheem Sterling, Torres’ teammate at Manchester City, was among the leading options. The 21-year-old has now overtaken his 26-year-old teammate as Barcelona’s leading candidate.
Marca also reports that the clubs are the only parties slowing down the deal, as there’s already a deal in place between Ferran Torres and Barcelona.
It is important to mention that the youngster was on Barcelona’s radar last summer and was keen on the move, but that the Catalan club chose to go for Francisco Trincao instead, who is now spending the season on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers in England.
Ferran Torres enticed by the Xavi project
While the reports claim that the 21-year-old Spanish international is not desperate to leave the Etihad, the idea of leading the line at a brand new Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez does appeal to him.
The forward is also worried about Manchester City’s prospects of signing a big name striker next season, which will limit his playing time at the club even more.
Barcelona have promised Torres an important role in the squad in their initial contact and hope that a deal can be agreed upon between them and City in January.
Torres joined Manchester City from his hometown club Valencia in August 2020 on a five-year contract for a reported transfer fee of €23 million. He has since scored 16 goals for the Citizens in 43 appearances in all competitions.
His time at Manchester City also helped him earn his first call-up to the Spanish national team, for who he has since featured 22 times, scoring 12 goals.
Barcelona eyeing Manchester City trio
While the young Spaniard may have replaced Raheem Sterling at the top of Barcelona’s priority list for attacking replacements, the 26-year-old Englishman is still a target for the Catalan giants.
City, however, will only sanction the deal if Barcelona’s proposed loan deal for Sterling comes with an obligation for the Catalan club to sign him permanently after.
Bernardo Silva is the other name on Barcelona’s list, and it is understood that the little Portuguese is also keen on a move to LaLiga. However, Manchester City’s valuation is sure to scare Barcelona away, who are currently down in the dumps with their finances.
