According to Caught Offside, Arsenal have made contact with the representatives of Barcelona forward Ferran Torres after missing out on Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
The Gunners were eager to secure an ambitious move for Vinicius earlier this month, but the Brazilian ended that prospect by signing a fresh six-year contract with Madrid.
Arsenal are now looking at alternatives and Torres has emerged as a potential candidate to bolster the left wing, though Paris Saint-Germain are leading the race to sign him.
The Premier League holders have made contact with the player’s entourage and asked to be kept informed about his situation.
Premier League experience
Arsenal have already made a statement signing in Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. Vinicius would have been similar and a big upgrade in the left wing position.
That is no longer an option for the club, and they need to quickly pursue a suitable alternative, considering the Premier League season starts for them in a fortnight’s time.
Torres would be a good acquisition for Arsenal, given he has prior Premier League experience at Manchester City.
The 26-year-old primarily played as a centre-forward for Barcelona last term, scoring 21 goals and providing 3 assists. Torres went on to make the headlines with the World Cup winning goal for Spain against Argentina. He scored the winner in the second half of extra time.
Torres can also comfortably play from either flank and has featured almost 100 times as a left winger in his career. With his contract expiring next summer, he could be available for a package between £39 million and £43 million in the current window.
PSG have been hot on the trail of him but the scenario could change. Les Parisiens have just signed Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco and are currently in the process of negotiating the transfer of Ajax winger Mika Godts, who has already agreed terms.
The arrival of the Belgian could mean they may not pursue a deal for Torres. Arsenal will be hoping to capitalise on the situation, given they could guarantee him a starting spot on the left wing, while he would only be a back-up player for Luis Enrique’s side.
Torres could start ahead of Tzolis for the Gunners on the left flank. At PSG, he would be a substitute, given Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are the preferred front three for the European champions when at full strength.
