Aston Villa have reportedly initiated an early transfer bid for an Arsenal target as the January transfer window approaches. The club has made an official offer to acquire Barcelona forward Ferran Torres; however, this bid falls short of the valuation set by the La Liga side, according to sources in Spain.
Ferran Torres, who was signed by Barcelona from Manchester City for €65 million (£54.2 million) including add-ons, has made a notable impact with 26 goals and 15 assists in 123 appearances for the Catalan club. At just 24 years old, he has also represented Spain in 48 senior matches, netting an impressive 21 goals.
Despite his evident talent, Torres has often found himself playing as a substitute rather than securing a starting position at Barcelona over the last three seasons. This situation can be frustrating for a player of his caliber, particularly given his proven goal-scoring ability.
Reports indicate that Aston Villa is eager to provide Torres with more consistent playing time, leading them to submit a bid of €15 million (£12.4 million). However, Barcelona is reportedly holding out for a fee of €25 million (£20.8 million) before they would consider parting with the player. With two and a half years remaining on his contract, Barcelona is under no immediate pressure to sell. Nevertheless, Torres may find his opportunities limited even further due to the strong performances of teammates Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, which suggests he might not be in Hansi Flick’s plans going forward.
Villa’s interest in Torres is part of a broader competition for his signature, as Arsenal is also monitoring the situation closely. Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta, who previously worked with Torres at Manchester City, is reportedly keen on reuniting with the player at the Emirates Stadium. If Aston Villa succeeds in signing Torres, it would significantly hinder Arteta’s ambitions to bring him to Arsenal.
As the January transfer window draws nearer, the dynamics surrounding Ferran Torres’ future at Barcelona are becoming increasingly intriguing. Both Aston Villa and Arsenal are keen to enhance their attacking options, making Torres a key player to watch in the upcoming transfer activities.