Barcelona are set to complete the signing of Ferran Torres in the January transfer window after reaching an agreement with Manchester City.
Xavi made the Spain international his priority target when he took over as Barcelona boss in autumn, with the club's CEO and sporting director travelling to the City Football Academy last month as the deal picked up pace. City were in no hurry to sell but Pep Guardiola has always said that players can leave if they wish and an acceptable deal can be struck.
The deal between the clubs is still being finalised but the figure is believed to be an initial £46.7m, with the potential for another £8.3m in add-ons; £6m of those add-ons are believed to be so easily obtainable that they are almost being considered as part of the initial fee. Despite speculation, no part-exchange has been part of the deal and so no Barcelona players will be heading to the Etihad.
City only signed Torres in the summer of 2020, buying him from Valencia for an initial £20.7m as he was in the last year of his contract.
He immediately impressed Guardiola, who saw enough potential in his finishing to use him up front as the Blues tried to find a solution to not having a fit or recognised No.9 at the club.
Torres, 21, began this season promisingly but has been sidelined since October when he tried to play through the pain in the UEFA Nations League final and suffered a fractured metatarsal that has kept him out since.
The player was not desperate to leave City but, with the Blues making no secret of their desire to bring in a No.9 still, was tempted by the offer from Barcelona to be one of their stars.
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