Torres edging ‘closer’ to Barca; Chelsea man lined up as ‘Plan B’

According to reports, Barcelona are close to agreeing a deal for Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.

The 21-year-old is reportedly keen on returning to Spain having moved to the Premier League from Valencia in August 2020.

Torres has scored 16 times in 43 appearances for the Citizens and impressed for Spain at Euro 2020, netting twice in six matches.

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He is currently out injured and hasn’t featured since the 6-1 Carabao Cup win against Wycombe Wanderers in September.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with Torres in recent months, reportedly having a part-exchange offer including Philippe Coutinho rejected.

Mundo Deportivo claim Barca and Man City are now ‘closer’ towards agreeing a €50million deal for the Spain international.

Furthermore, journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech is being lined up as a ‘Plan B’ as the Blaugrana prioritise signing a new right-winger.

Barcelona are pushing on Ferrán Torres deal. He’s the priority – personal terms agreed but it’s still not agreed with Man City [€50m bid, €60m price tag]. Talks on #FCB

Barcelona have also Ziyech opened as plan B – he’s an option only in case Ferrán deal won’t be concluded. pic.twitter.com/CvG4aMUSHl

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 20, 2021

Romano adds that personal terms have been agreed between Torres and the La Liga giants, with the Premier League champions holding out for €60m.

As for Ziyech, he would only be considered should a deal for the Spaniard fall through.

The Chelsea winger has made 18 appearances in 2021/22, scoring three goals. He initially struggled for game time this term, but has played more frequently in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger has revealed Chelsea’s players were left kicking themselves with Sunday’s title-race stumble at Wolves.

The Blues ground out a goalless draw at Molineux to slip six points behind leaders and defending Premier League champions Man City.

“We cannot be happy with this point looking at the table,” Rudiger told Chelsea’s official club website.

“Of course it is not easy (in the Covid circumstances), definitely not.

“We should have provided more chances to score, and if you don’t bury your chances it’s difficult to win away.

“We didn’t have the chances, to be honest. The second-half we had a good uplift. But we have to do more, take more risks.”

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