Spanish prodigy Pablo Torre, who has signed for Barcelona, has revealed that he turned down a more lucrative offer from Real Madrid.
During an interview with Adri Contreras (h/t Mundo Deportivo), soon-to-be Barcelona player Pablo Torre has admitted to rejecting a chance to sign for Real Madrid in favour of the Catalans, despite receiving a bigger offer from the Merengues.
Pablo Torre is widely regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in Spain. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder came through the ranks at Racing Santander and became a key first-team player over the past two years.
Having enjoyed his breakthrough in 2020/21, the teenager took his game up a notch in the season gone by, finishing with ten goals and assists apiece, helping Racing Santander earn promotion to La Liga 2.
Having become aware of Torre’s potential, Barcelona closed the signing of the 19-year-old prospect in March earlier this year, beating arch-rivals Real Madrid to his signing.
?️?[ @AdriContrerass ] | Pablo Torre: “Real Madrid offered me more money, but my dream was to play & succeed at Barcelona.” #fcblive pic.twitter.com/In1HdVLOkj
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) June 1, 2022
Opening up on his decision to join Barcelona over Real Madrid, Torre has now revealed that the Catalans’ first-team manager Xavi Hernandez spoke to him on a video call, which convinced him to choose the Blaugrana. The 19-year-old also admitted that Real Madrid had offered him ‘more money’. But he had his heart set on a move to Barcelona.
“It was fast. My representative told me, because he contacted Mateu Alemany. I was concentrated with the National Team in Las Rozas and that’s when they told me that I had a video call with Xavi. He explained the project to me,” Torre said.
“I spoke with Madrid, but in the end my dream was to play and hopefully succeed at Barça. Madrid offered more money, but for me the important thing was to play at the Camp Nou and, above all, the sports project that it offered me. It was clear to me since he called me the first time,” the Spanish youth international further added.
Pablo Torre is expected to join Barcelona once the transfer window opens for business next month. The 19-year-old is held in high regard by Xavi and will be given a chance in the pre-season to earn a spot for himself in the first team.