Barcelona president Joan Laporta has addressed speculation linking Ferran Torres with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, while also providing an update on the club’s pursuit of Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez. Speaking in Dallas during the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, Laporta stated he had “heard talk” of Torres potentially joining PSG, but insisted he had received no confirmation of any offer. He affirmed that Torres “is a player for Barça” at present.
Torres joined Barcelona from Manchester City in December 2021, initially as a replacement for Sergio Agüero following the Argentinian’s retirement. While he has shown flashes of promise, the Spaniard has struggled for consistent form and a settled position within Xavi Hernández’s system, making 30 appearances across all competitions last season and scoring seven goals. A move to PSG could offer him a fresh start and more regular playing time.
Laporta was more forthcoming regarding Barcelona’s interest in Julián Álvarez. He confirmed the club had submitted a formal offer for the Argentinian international, who has reportedly requested a transfer from Atlético Madrid. However, Laporta cautioned that the offer is not open-ended, stating, “We won’t dance to anyone’s tune, we’ll set the pace. We’ve made a formal offer. It’s not unlimited and, when the time comes, we’ll say until when it remains valid.”
Álvarez has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Manchester City, becoming a key part of Pep Guardiola’s squad and winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He has also been a regular for Argentina, playing a part in their successful World Cup campaign. Atlético Madrid are reportedly unhappy with Barcelona’s approach for Álvarez and are considering legal action, according to reports. Barcelona’s financial situation remains complex, and securing Álvarez would likely require creative financing solutions. The potential arrival of Álvarez would add further firepower to Barcelona’s attacking options and potentially challenge Robert Lewandowski for a starting position.
