Barcelona avoid paying €20 million to Manchester City with clever trick

Barcelona are close to selling Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain. Thanks to a clever structure in the agreement, the Spanish giants are set to avoid paying as much as 18 million euros to his former club Manchester City, The Athletic reports.

Ferran made himself a national hero this summer when he fired Spain past Argentina in extra time of the 2026 World Cup final (1-0). Even so, Barcelona chose not to extend his contract, which expires next year, despite the important role he played in last season's title win with 21 goals in 49 matches.

Barcelona and PSG have now agreed a transfer fee of around 50 million euros, with no additional bonuses. The imminent move will reunite Ferran with his former national team coach Luis Enrique.

The transfer also allows Barcelona to dodge a sizeable payment to Manchester City. When Barça signed Ferran from Manchester City in January 2022 for 55 million euros plus 10 million euros in variables, they included specific conditions:

Had Ferran's contract been extended, Barcelona would have had to send another eight million to Man City. By leaving it untouched, that obligation disappears.

Manchester City would also be due a sell-on bonus of 10 million euros if the forward were sold for 55 million euros or more. By keeping the fee below that mark at 50 million euros, Barcelona keep the full amount in the Catalan coffers.

All told, Ferran played 207 matches for Barcelona, scoring 63 goals and supplying 23 assists.