Arsenal have held talks with Barcelona to explore the possibility of signing Ferran Torres as an alternative to Mykhaylo Mudryk.
According to 90min, Arsenal have contacted Barcelona for Ferran Torres as they step up to recruit an alternative to Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Spanish winger interests Mikel Arteta, who knows the problems for the player at Camp Nou.
Arsenal are set to accelerate their pursuit of a new winger in the remaining days of this transfer window. Mikel Arteta wanted Mykhaylo Mudry on priority, and the club fruitlessly chased the former Shakhtar Donetsk star for over a month. But with Mudryk joining Chelsea, the Gunners have re-entered the market for an alternative.
Many names have been mentioned in the media. Raphinha, Leandro Trossard, Rafael Leao, Kauro Mitoma, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are all linked as potential targets. The Gunners are monitoring the latter trio but may not sign the Belgian as his profile does not appeal to Arteta.
As for Raphinha, he is set to stay in Barcelona and fight for his place under Xavi Hernandez. Arsenal have reportedly contacted the Catalan club to enquire about their other winger, Ferran Torres. The Spaniard is enduring a difficult season at Camp Nou, and the club may have already considered selling him.
Some reports early in the month suggested Barcelona were willing to listen to offers of around €50 million. Getting that sort of a fee for a player on whom they spent around €55 million a year ago would come as a loss-making operation.
Alternatively, as Xavi has said a few times in the media of his desire to keep hold of the current group. Hence, the club may not sell Torres this month. The Barcelona winger is not a guaranteed starter this season but adds valuable depth to the side’s wide positions.
At times, he can also play centrally, and all those aspects of the Barcelona winger attract Arteta. The Gunners’ boss also knows what he can bring to the team, watching him closely during his brief career at Manchester City.
For Arsenal, moving on from their primary target and bringing in an alternative has worked well. There are examples in the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Both came into the team as alternatives to Dusan Vlahovic and Lisandro Martinez.
Torres could have a similar impact; more importantly, he will add some much-needed depth to the wide positions. Currently, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Emile Smith Rowe are the only trusted options in roles.
