Torres joins European champions
Paris Saint-Germain has officially signed Spain‘s World Cup-winning forward Ferran Torres from Barcelona. The 26-year-old has agreed to a contract with the French champions that extends until 2031. The transfer fee for Torres is reported to be around €50m (£42.7m; $57.6m).
Torres played a pivotal role in Spain’s recent World Cup victory, scoring the extra-time winner against Argentina in the final last month. His performance in the tournament followed a strong season with Barcelona, where he contributed significantly to their La Liga title win.
During the past season, Torres scored 21 goals and provided three assists across 49 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona. His contributions helped the club retain their La Liga title. He will now wear the No. 9 shirt for Paris Saint-Germain.
This move marks Torres’s return to playing under coach Luis Enrique, who currently manages PSG. Torres previously played for the national team under Enrique, making his debut for Spain under his guidance. Enrique is also a former Barcelona coach and player.
Impact on both clubs
Torres expressed his enthusiasm for joining PSG, stating his delight in starting a new adventure at an ambitious club. He thanked President Nasser al-Khelaïfi, football adviser Luis Campos, and coach Luis Enrique for the opportunity, hoping to help the team win as many trophies as possible. PSG has been successful in recent seasons, winning the Champions League in the past two campaigns and adding the Uefa Super Cup to their silverware collection this week by beating Aston Villa 2-1.
This is the second high-profile forward signing for PSG this summer, following the arrival of Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco. The club could potentially see another forward, Bradley Barcola, depart this summer, with Liverpool reportedly interested in him.
Torres initially joined Barcelona in 2022 after spending two years at Manchester City. He has accumulated 25 goals in 65 appearances for Spain throughout his international career.
For Barcelona, Torres’s departure comes amidst reports of internal discussions regarding his future. According to one report, any renewal of his contract would have required a payment of around €8m to Manchester City, due to a clause from his transfer to Barcelona in January 2022 for an initial €55m plus €10m in add-ons. Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, was reportedly reluctant to pursue a new deal due to concerns about salary harmony within the squad.
The club has been active in strengthening its front line, having signed England winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. However, Torres’s exit means that both of Barcelona’s center-forward options from the last two seasons have now left, with Robert Lewandowski having joined the Chicago Fire in MLS. Barcelona has reportedly targeted Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, though Atletico is not willing to sanction his exit.
Torres’s move is seen as a beneficial outcome for all parties involved, maximizing his value after his World Cup performance. His public statements and actions in recent weeks had cast doubt on his commitment to Barcelona, with the player reportedly urging the club to demonstrate their desire to keep him. This transfer allows Barcelona to secure a significant fee and avoid a potentially costly contract renewal, while Torres embarks on a new chapter with the ambitious French club.
Torres’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain was completed for a reported fee of approximately €50m.
Source: bbc.com
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