Barcelona have finalized the signing of Manchester City winger Ferran Torres, it was announced on Tuesday.

Sources have told ESPN that Barca are approaching a 55million euros ($ 62million) deal for Torres with the transfer now complete.

– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN + (US only)
– You don’t have ESPN? Access immediately

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Ferran should be proud of what he has accomplished here at Manchester City.

“Last season was his first time in a new country, but he adapted well. He always gave 100%, worked hard for the team and scored goals that helped us. to win trophies.

“Unfortunately, an injury has kept him from playing more games this season, but Ferran is a player we have all loved working with and we wish him all the best in Barcelona and for the rest of his career.”

And the #DreamTeen the crew is growing … pic.twitter.com/qmTFJLSOjM

– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 28, 2021

Torres, 21, signed a Camp Nou contract until 2027 with a billion euro release clause and could make his Copa del Rey debut against Linares Deportivo on January 5 – he will not be listed in time to face Mallorca. Jan. 2 – after recovering from a foot injury that has prevented him from entering since September.

Barcelona’s financial woes have been well documented, with gross debts of over € 1 billion leading to the exits of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann last summer.

However, sources at the club have told ESPN that they see no problem signing Torres with La Liga when the registration window opens on January 3.

The club are also due to register Dani Alves, but Griezmann’s departure at the end of August and Sergio Aguero’s retirement due to heart disease gave them some leeway under their spending limit of € 97m La Liga enforced for the season – the limit includes salaries and money spent on signings, but the costs are spread over the duration of the contract.

Barca are allowed by the Spanish league to spend 25% of anything they save on wages or bringing transfer fees.

The club continue to work on making more room and sources add that they hope to do so by terminating Yusuf Demir and Luuk de Jong’s loans earlier and are open to offers for several other players.

Switching Ousmane Dembele to a new contract would also help, as it would allow his fee amortization payments to be spread over a longer period.

Torres becomes Barca’s second signing under head coach Xavi Hernandez, after Alves arrived on a free transfer in November.

ESPN reported in November that Barca had stepped up efforts to sign Torres, a player in whom they have a long-standing interest, and the 21-year-old informed City boss Pep Guardiola of his desire to leave the country. last week.

Asked about Torres’ imminent exit from the Premier League, Guardiola said he did not want to keep a player who wanted to play elsewhere.

“I want my players to be happy. I have said many times if you are not happy you have to go. We are not a club like other clubs, guys who want to go have to go,” said Guardiola.

Torres has scored 16 goals in 43 appearances for City since joining € 23million ($ 26million) in August 2020. He has 12 goals in 22 caps for Spain.