Arsenal plan to capitalise on growing doubt surrounding Barcelona forward Ferran Torres
Ciaran McCarthy
There are growing doubts about the Barcelona future of Arsenal target Ferran Torres this summer, reports TEAMtalk.
The Gunners just lost the Champions League, having won the Premier League title a couple of weeks before. Following 22 years without a top-flight trophy, winning the league again was a huge achievement, but Mikel Arteta's side desperately wanted European silverware afterwards.
His plan is to be ambitious for next season, recruiting so that his side can sustain an era of dominance in England and go one better in Europe.
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal have been alerted to the possibility of signing Barcelona forward Torres this summer.
Indeed, there are said to be doubts about his future at the Spanish giants, given they are looking to splash the cash on some huge names this summer, and that might require letting some talents go.
With that said, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea are all eyeing the Spanish forward, who last season scored 16 goals in La Liga - a tally bettered only by three men.
Arteta is believed to be a long-term admirer of Torres, with whom he worked while he was assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
It's believed he could be a more realistic alternative for the Gunners than Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, who is wanted by Barca themselves.
But alongside the aforementioned Premier League clubs interested in Torres, as are Como, who secured Champions League football for the first time next season, under the watch of Cesc Fabregas, who is clearly a fan of the forward.
He said of late: “Ferran has contributed a lot to Barcelona. He scored important goals, accepted different roles in attack, worked hard for the team, and helped the club win titles.
“Players like that are valuable because they give you solutions in many moments across the season.”
More clubs on the continent are keen on Torres, including Monaco and Ajax.
Barcelona's transfer shortlist
The potential that Barca could have to get rid of some saleable assets is due to their desire to land two more big-name stars after securing the services of Anthony Gordon as their first signing in the summer.
It is believed, though the left-winger has been signed, that the Spanish giants still want Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan with them, largely playing on the left flank.
His transfer will cost them £26million, while the snare of Alvarez will be over £100million, and they parted with an initial £60.5million for Gordon.
A club struggling financially seem very unlikely to be spend all the money required to land the stars they want this summer without making one or two big sales.
