Ferran Torres is one of the most prominent strikers on the market. He is versatile, goal-scoring and daring: he leaves a club that is a candidate to win the Champions League to be part of a team under construction and that this year will fight for the Europa League. In addition, his irruption into the Spanish national team, under the orders of Luis Enrique, is seasoned with great figures: 12 goals in 22 games.
The bet excites and generates a consensus similar to that of Frenkie de Jong a few years ago, although the Dutchman landed at the Camp Nou – leaving PSG and City with a slap in the face – after being the mainstay of the game. ‘a Champions League semi-finalist, Ten Hag’s Ajax. The role of Xavi Hernández will be vital to strengthen that of Torres. De Jong came to a different Barça, much more hierarchical, with less share of power for the coach, and now he is paying the consequences.
The Valencian winger also supports the generation that leaves Ansu Fati and, although he is no longer a teenager, dream teen which sells Barça through all its channels. He is eager, with everything to succeed and with attributes that clearly raise the level of a very diminished striker in recent months, from the departure of Messi and the salary savings with Griezmann to the recent retirement of Agüero. Gone is the controversial departure from Torres del Valencia, in which he spoke ill of Dani Parejo and left the sensation, they explain from the capital of the Turia, which was thought “too good”. Now the numbers support it. It is indisputable that it has been revalued.
The price paid by Barça does not come close to the mortars of despair paid by Coutinho, Dembélé or Griezmann. However, the operation puts City at a standstill, taking more than twice as much (only with the fixed) as it invested in 2020 to take it away from Valencia. Joan Laporta’s first big signing is not cheap at the moment. And it has been done with debt, not income. Nothing happens to say that.
Let’s refresh the numbers. They are 55 million fixed and a drop-down of variables. The easiest thing is in case of renewal: 7 million will have to pay Barça to City if Torres extends or improves his contract. Then there are two bonus of 5 kilos each in case of Champions and Golden Ball. Then, if the footballer does not renew and Barça sells him for more than 55 million, City will receive 10. The most debatable part of the agreement is the fixed one, which is quite high. Variables are variables, not the theater to pay bonus by matches played or to rank among the top four, so common with the previous board. Good job German in negotiating with the citizens and Reverter in the definition of a financial deal with the player that we know is acceptable despite the financial situation of the club.
Now the match will be played on other fronts. With Torres on sick leave, Barça are putting pressure on him to look for solutions to be able to register him in the League. Dembélé’s renewal alone will not be enough, if he ends up signing. More powerful gestures will be needed, such as the departures of Umtiti or Coutinho. If not, there will always be the CVC wildcard, with the institutional derivatives that this represents.
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