MX23RW : Friday, May 10 15:20:35| >> :60:1526:1526:

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

Ferran Torres 'open to Premier League return'
© Reuters
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.

ID:513403:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5486:

Click here for more stories about Ferran Torres

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Ferran Torres in action with Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal on March 2, 2023
Read Next:
Arsenal, Villa 'interested in signing Ferran Torres from Barcelona'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!