Transfer Centre

Barcelona's Ferran Torres 'open to Premier League return'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 May 2023

Arsenal and Aston Villa-linked attacker Ferran Torres is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League if Barcelona part ways with him this summer.

Barcelona attacker Ferran Torres would reportedly welcome a return to the Premier League this summer if La Blaugrana forced him out of the door.

The Spain international waved goodbye to Manchester City in January 2022 to return to his homeland, but he has struggled to make a lasting impression in Catalonia.

Torres has produced a respectable 14 goals and eight assists for Xavi's side in all tournaments since his arrival, but he is down the pecking order when it comes to attacking starts.

Throughout the 2022-23 campaign, Torres has started a mere 13 La Liga contests and was only named in the first XI once in their short-lived Champions League campaign.

Furthermore, Torres was a substitute in both of Barca's Europa League playoff clashes with Manchester United, and speculation over his long-term future is starting to heat up.

Spain's Ferran Torres in action with Costa Rica's Jewison Bennette at the World Cup on November 23, 2022 © Reuters

Both Arsenal and Aston Villa are believed to be keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old's situation, and Football Insider reports that Torres could be coaxed back to the Premier League.

The former Valencia man remains contracted to Barcelona until 2027, though, and he is still hopeful of proving his worth to Xavi in the long run.

However, with Ousmane Dembele, Gavi, Raphinha and Ansu Fati also competing for starts out wide, Torres may be sacrificed by the Blaugrana, who are also dreaming of a reunion with Lionel Messi.

In order to facilitate the Argentine's audacious return, Barcelona must make significant cuts to their playing squad and are under pressure to reduce their wage bill by approximately £175m.

Should Barcelona continue to try to push Torres out of the door, the Spaniard may give some thought to playing in England again, and Villa Park seems his likeliest destination at present.

Ferran Torres celebrates scoring for Barcelona on November 1, 2022 © Reuters

The Lions are believed to be closing in on an agreement to hire Barcelona's Mateu Alemany as their new sporting director, and his appointment would boost their chances of landing Torres's signature.

Unai Emery is also believed to be a keen admirer of the winger's talents, having briefly come up against his compatriot while he was in charge of Villarreal.

During his brief one-and-a-half year stay with Man City, Torres made just 28 appearances in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and setting up three more.

All of Torres, Fati and Raphinha are facing uncertain futures at Barcelona ahead of the summer, and as is the case with the former, ex-Leeds United man Raphinha is also believed to be weighing up a return to England.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have apparently given the green light to a swap deal which would see Fati join Wolverhampton Wanderers, who would in turn send Ruben Neves to Camp Nou.