Ferran Torres closes in on PSG move as Barcelona give green light to miss training
Ferran Torres has been given permission to miss Barcelona training to finalise a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with the deal likely to be worth more than £40 million BBC Sport.
The 26-year-old Spanish international was due back at Barcelona's training ground on Wednesday alongside the rest of the club's Spanish internationals but did not report as his transfer to PSG edged closer Mundo Deportivo. PSG and Barcelona had already reached a verbal agreement over the transfer, after which Torres was not expected to report Fabrizio Romano, TikTok.
The move has been building for weeks. PSG first sounded out Torres in July, according to French outlet L'Equipe, with the player himself telling Barcelona he wanted to join the Parisian club after agreeing personal terms ESPN. L'Equipe reported that Torres agreed to a five-year contract with PSG, with negotiations continuing between the two clubs L'Equipe.
Barcelona rejected PSG's first formal offer — €40 million (£34m) fixed — which arrived on Monday 10 August Mundo Deportivo. The final figure is expected to exceed that. Torres had one year left on his Barcelona contract, which ran until June 2027 and carried a €1 billion buyout clause FC Barcelona.
PSG's motivation is clear enough. The French champions have won the Champions League in each of the past two seasons under Luis Enrique — a former Barcelona player and head coach — and face the possible departure of forward Bradley Barcola, who is wanted by Liverpool BBC Sport. Torres offers versatility across the front line and a proven goalscoring record: 16 goals in 33 La Liga matches last season L'Equipe, and 25 goals in 65 appearances for Spain BBC Sport.
One of those international goals was about as big as they come. In summer 2025, Torres scored an extra-time winner against Argentina to help Spain lift their second World Cup BBC Sport. Real Madrid were also monitoring his situation amid the PSG interest L'Equipe.
Torres has been at Barcelona since joining from Manchester City in December 2021 for an initial €55 million, going on to make 200 appearances and crack the club's all-time top 50 goalscorers list FC Barcelona. He had previously spent two years at Manchester City after coming through Valencia's academy.
Speaking during a US media tour, Torres struck a philosophical tone about his future. "I have a contract with Barcelona, but in football you never know," he said. "Every time teams want you, it's a good thing" BBC Sport.
PSG, meanwhile, were in Super Cup final action against Aston Villa in Salzburg on Wednesday night, a reminder that even amid transfer business the season does not wait BBC Sport.
For fans, this one has a tidy symmetry. Torres scored Barcelona's goal in a Champions League defeat at PSG last October, sliding in to beat the offside trap and finish past goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier Reuters. A year on, he looks set to be wearing the other shirt.
