Arsenal, Chelsea 'face competition' for Ferran Torres as La Liga club 'prepares £17m bid'

The 25-year-old has been in strong form for Barcelona during the 2024-25 campaign, making 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and registering three assists in the process.

Torres is not first choice for the Catalan giants, though, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both ahead of him when it comes to the wide positions, while Robert Lewandowski remains first choice through the middle.

Lewandowski will spend at least another campaign with Hansi Flick's side, while it is understood that a new forward will be targeted this summer, with Porto's Samu Aghehowa emerging as a genuine option.

As a result, Torres will likely have to leave the club in order to become a regular starter, and he is believed to be determined to secure a full season of action ahead of potentially representing Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

Villarreal 'eyeing summer move for Torres'

Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs to be linked with Torres, with the English duo both believed to be interested in bringing him back to the Premier League for the 2025-26 campaign.

Torres impressed in England for Manchester City between August 2020 and January 2022, making 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring 16 goals and registering four assists in the process.

According to Nacional Cat, Villarreal want to keep Torres in La Liga, and the Yellow Submarine are willing to offer €20m (£17m) for the Spain international during this summer's transfer window.

Villarreal head coach Marcelino has a strong relationship with Torres which was formed when the pair were both at Valencia, and it is understood that has placed the club in a strong position to sign him.

Are Villarreal realistic contenders for Torres?

Villarreal will surely have to secure Champions League football for next season to stand a chance of bringing in Torres.

Marcelino's side are currently fifth in the La Liga table, four points behind fourth-placed fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, with the team suffering a damaging 1-0 loss to Alaves in Spain's top flight on Saturday.

Villarreal will welcome Real Madrid in their next league match on March 15, and a victory in that contest would be very valuable for Barcelona's La Liga title hopes, in addition to boosting their own top-four ambitions.

Torres does have a contract with Barcelona until June 2027, though, and it is entirely possible that he will decide to continue his career with the Catalan giants next season, as there will still be plenty of minutes on offer.

Written by

Matt Law