Manchester City forward Ferran Torres closing in on move to Barcelona

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Manchester City forward Ferran Torres is close to signing for La Liga giants Barcelona. He would be the very first player to arrive at Camp Nou in the January transfer window.

Speculation over the future of Ferran Torres, 21, has been rife over the last few weeks, after it had emerged that the Spanish international was keen to leave Manchester City for Barcelona. Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona’s new boss, wants the 21-year-old to lead a new revolution at Camp Nou, having been enticed by the player’s versatility to play anywhere across the front-line.

Negotiations between Barcelona and Manchester City over Ferran Torres are well advanced and the announcement of the signing is just a matter of hours from now, reports Sport. In terms of a transfer fee, the Catalan club have managed to bring down Manchester City’s €75 million asking price of the player to €45 million plus another ten in achievable variables.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has given the green signal for the Spanish attacker to be sold as he isn’t that important in his plans moving forward, provided the club receive their stipulated fee, claims another Spanish outlet, Marca. However, the Sky Blues aren’t getting their quoted fee for Ferran Torres and the deal is close but not yet complete.

Marca claims the Christmas period has been set as a deadline to complete the deal for the 21-year-old forward. In short, there’s a big possibility that Torres may have already played his final game for the Cityzens, with the youngster currently sidelined with a foot fracture.

Having seen Sergio Aguero depart in the summer to Barcelona before announcing his retirement amidst heart issues last week and now on the verge of losing Torres, Man City will certainly prioritise signing a striker next summer.

As per rumours of late, the likes of Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland remain at the apex of Guardiola’s shortlist.