Huge exit clause emerges as Barcelona secure Ferran Torres deal; Man Utd man set to follow

Barcelona are formally announced the Ferran Torres transfer from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £54.5m.

Torres has emerged as Barcelona’s top target for the January transfer window recently. The La Liga giants are looking to replace ex-City striker Sergio Aguero after his retirement. Taking Torres back to La Liga has been their preferred option for a while.

The challenge has been to find a fee City would deem acceptable. Torres’ value has increased since his 2020 transfer from Valencia. Barcelona’s financial difficulties have not made it easy for them to find a compromise.

There has been a gap between Barca’s offers and City’s demands. One Blaugrana official recently admitted they have been working step by step on the transfer. Now, after weeks of talks, Barcelona have formally announced his signing on their official website.

A tweet from City also read: “Ferran Torres has left Manchester City and completed a permanent move to Barcelona.”

The deal has gone through after Barcelona seemingly overcame a late hurdle regarding his wages. Having passed a medical in Catalonia over the weekend, they had been expected to announce the deal on Monday.

However, a delay in the announcement placed question marks on the deal, with his salary rumoured to be behind the delay.

That though has now been resolved with Torres signing a deal to keep him at Barcelona until 2027. His exit fee has also been set at a staggering €1bn (£841million).

Man City: Vlahovic in, Torres out

City have joined the race to sign the Serbian forward, while talks of Barcelona target Torres go on.

The deal will formally be completed on January 3 when the transfer window in Spain opens.

Begiristain wishes Torres well

Torres spent just 16 months at City, scoring 16 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions.

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “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 per cent, worked hard for the team and scored goals which helped us win trophies.

“Injury unfortunately prevented him from playing more games this season. However, Ferran is a player we have all enjoyed working with and we wish him all the best at Barcelona and for the rest of his career.”

Cavani ready to follow Ferran Torres transfer

With Torres’ signing complete, Barcelona are next working on securing a deal to bring in Edinson Cavani.

The striker was on scoresheet on Tuesday night as Manchester United secured a 1-1 draw at Newcastle.

However, chances have been few and far between for the Uruguayan, who appears ready to move on.

Indeed, as per Sport, a deal to sign Cavani is well on track and a ‘final answer is expected from Manchester United’ in the next few days.

Barca are hoping United will agree to terminate his contract at Old Trafford, thus allowing him to move on as a free agent.

They state Cavani will join Barca on a deal to summer 2023 and will also take a drop in wages to secure the switch.

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