Barcelona have signed Spanish international Ferran Torres on a deal that will run till June 2027 with a 1 billion euro buyout clause slapped on the 21-year old.
After spending a year and a half in Manchester, Torres returns to Spain after moving there from Valencia in a 46.3 million pound deal.
Torres played 43 times for Pep Guardiola’s side with sixteen goals scored since the summer of last year.
There will be a payment of over £8.4m in add ons from Barcelona while there are still more transfer activities to be made by Barcelona if the financial regulations of La Liga are to be met.
Furthermore, Barcelona had to secure a loan from a bank to seal the deal amidst their recent troubles financially.
Torres is expected to be one of Barcelona’s key players in the nearest future alongside Ansu Fati and Pedri; both signed new contracts, which included a 1bn euro release clause.
However, Torres’ move was stimulated by limited playing times in a squad that has Riyadh Mahrez, Bernado Silva, Jack Grealish, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, and Phil Foden.
He is also expected to fill in a void created by the premature departure and retirement of a former Manchester City forward who only moved to Barcelona in the summer.
Sergio Aguero looked like a decent signing for a cash-strapped Barcelona in the summer after he joined on a free, but a heart problem ensured that he had to retire.
It was a big blow on Barcelona, who had lost Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer.
While Torres’ time at City is short, Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain has told the player to be proud of what he achieved at the Etihad stadium.
“Ferran should be proud of what he has achieved here at Manchester City. Last season was his first time in a new country, but he adapted well. He always gave 100%, worked hard for the team and scored goals which helped us win trophies.” Txiki Begiristain said.
Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu