Barcelona Retain Interest in Valencia Contract Rebel Ferran Torres
By Tom Gott
Barcelona remain interested in striking a deal for Valencia midfielder Ferran Torres, who has rejected several contract offers for his current club.
The 20-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his existing contract and is yet to show any real signs of wanting to extend his stay at the Mestalla.
According to Mundo Deportivo, his contract standoff has caught the attention of Barcelona, who have long seen Torres as a potential star of the future. When Torres was 17 years old, La Blaugrana are said to have pushed to sign him, but the youngster felt as though the move was too soon.
However, it is now suggested that he may have changed his mind. Having rejected two contract offers, it seems as though he would be interested to see what Barcelona have to say this time around.
The Spaniard has a €100m release clause, but Barcelona are tipped to try to strike a deal worth closer to the €35m mark as a result of his fast expiring contract.
In the past, both Real Madrid and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Torres, who has managed four goals and four assists in 25 league appearances this season from wide attacking positions.
It's no secret that Barcelona are looking for some new forwards. When it comes to wingers, questions have been asked about the future of Ousmane Dembélé, who seemingly cannot stop getting injured.
Post-winter signing Martin Braithwate is surely not a long-term option, so the search for viable additions will continue into the summer.
Quique Setién's side have been tipped to launch summer bids for both Inter's Lautaro Martínez and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, but Torres would obviously be cheaper than both players, so Barcelona officials might actually be doing the sensible thing for once and considering all their options.