BARCELONA
Barcelona set to announce the signing of Ferran Torres
The Spain international will join the Camp Nou outfit for €55 million plus €10 million in add-ons.
Barcelona expect to announce the signing of Ferran Torres on December 27 and officially present him as a new Barça player on December 28.
The Spain international will join the Camp Nou outfit for €55 million plus €10 million in add-ons. Barcelona have reached an agreement with Manchester City for the 21-year-old, although the Premier League club had initial doubts over the Catalan side's financial position and their ability to finalise the deal.
Former Barça manager and current City boss Pep Guardiola spoke about the player's departure on Thursday. Guardiola said he wouldn't stand in the way of a player who wants to leave the club. "If you want to leave because you're not happy here and you believe you'll be happy somewhere else, you have to go," Guardiola said.
Hard to turn down Barcelona
"A career is short and one day, it's over. If he wants to leave, absolutely no disappointment. I'm happy for him. Always, I have the feeling if Barcelona and Real Madrid want a player, it's difficult to say no. They are the strongest teams in the world," he continued.
Ferran Torres has admitted to feeling fortunate to have had the opportunity to work under both Guardiola and Luis Enrique, two of the most highly regarded coaches in world football, in such a short space of time. The next head coach he will be working under is Xavi Hernández, who is ready for the young forward to become a central part of his Barcelona team.