- Barcelona forward linked to Old Trafford
- Spanish giant looks to remove financial burden
- Man Utd set for massive transfer window
Manchester United are set to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in three years, so reports expect them to strengthen their squad this summer. TEAMtalk reports that the Red Devils are showing signs of interest in Barcelona forward Ferran Torres ahead of the window.
It’s believed the current La Liga champions have offered the Spaniard to Michael Carrick’s side to ease financial constraints on the club.
He has been an influential player under German manager Hansi Flick, and he has shown that this season with 12 league goals in 26 outings, though it seems they are looking at a different approach.
Torres in Catalonia
The 26-year-old began his career at Valencia, where he quickly became a key player in the first team.
In 2020, he moved to United’s city rivals, Manchester City, though he didn’t get many chances to display his quality under Pep Guardiola, as he struggled for consistent minutes.
Barcelona looked to Torres as the new threat to add to their attacking forces, so they spent €55 million on the City man.
His first couple of seasons, he struggled to be a direct threat in front of goal, but that changed when Flick arrived at the club.
Since joining Barca, the former Bayern Munich manager has registered 29 goal contributions, playing a role in Barcelona’s league title victory last season. He’s bagged 12 goals and one assist, displaying impressive versatility.
Despite his numbers, he has never been a nailed-on starter at the club, with talents such as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha taking the spots out wide.
A role could be coming up with Robert Lewandowski coming towards the end of his career, but Flick’s side looks set to be changing direction once the Polish star leaves the Camp Nou.
The club have already begun sounding out a possible deal for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
While Flick has been impressed by current loanee and United winger Marcus Rashford, who could make his time in Spain permanent.
Torres will have a year left on his contract as of the summer, and with the English winger’s interest from Barca, it might make the move all the more likely.
Man United’s big summer plans
It remains unclear whether Carrick will stay in the Old Trafford dugout next season after his impressive spell as interim manager, but whoever leads the club next summer will have a significant budget.
While sales are expected, Rashford, Casemiro, and others, the club are willing to bring in multiple quality additions.
Earlier this week, it seems the Red Devils are going to push strongly for a midfielder, with Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba being mentioned.
They are also looking to bring in a left back to offer competition to Luke Shaw, who has been at the club since 2015. Arsenal’s Miles Lewis Skelly and Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell are reported to be high on their list.
While Torres is one forward that has been mentioned, there have been several other rumours about forwards, such as Yan Diomande and Iliman Ndiaye.
Getting back in Europe’s elite competition will be a great success for United, but bringing in players of the calibre to continue to do that will be on this summer’s agenda, and Torres could be a name to watch.
