Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres
Aston Villa are 'seriously interested' in completing a deal for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres this summer - although the player himself appears eager to remain in Catalonia ahead of next season.
have been linked with a £35m move for Torres, who scored 19 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions last season, previously, with the playmaker having to often settle for substitute appearances for the Blaugrana.
The ex attacker, a Spanish international, was behind Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in manager Hansi Flick's preferred front three last year as Barca won La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
There are suggestions now that Barca are set to sign another international forward, Nico Williams, who scored against England in the Euro 2024 final last year, from rivals Athletic Bilbao and that would only increase attacking competition further - and possibly reduce Torres' game-time further as a result.
The player would prefer to remain and help form an all Spanish front three with Williams and Yamal, in the event the former does sign, but he from elsewhere if he was to become available for transfer and open to completing a move away from the Camp Nou.
"I haven't spoken to him," Torres told El Chiringuito recently of Williams. "We met in Ibiza, but we prefer not to talk about it. All the top players want to come to the big teams, and Barca is one of them. I don't know what will happen, but I hope it's for the best.
“We’ve already played together in the national team. I’d like to play with him, and we could form a good trio if everything goes well. I see myself at Barcelona and I’m going to stay at Barcelona. I’m optimistic and I’m going to fight to earn a starting spot.”
Torres, 25, has two years remaining on his Barca contract. He spent 18 months at City previously, having joined from Valencia in 2018 and then moving back to Spain in January 2020 having scored 16 goals in 43 appearances. His Transfermarkt value currently stands at 40m euros.
What should Villa do in the summer window?
adidas Aston Villa range - how to get yours!
Aston Villa have announced that they are selling a new range of fashion items that fans are going to be clamouring to get hold of ahead of the new season - including a limited edition of the iconic adidas Samba range.
The Villa colours are displayed on the trainers and they also show off the Villa badge.
You can also find an adidas DNA hoody which comes in simple Villa colours and a low key traditional adidas design.
The same design can be found on classic adidas track top on offer, this is the type of track top that fans love to wear -
The DNA range continues with a claret and blue t-shirt - , and on the training pants which can also be matched with any of the items -
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