Barcelona beat Real Madrid to 'next Pedri' signing with €100m release clause

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of teenage midfielder Pablo Torre, beating competition from rivals Real Madrid to secure his signature.

The 18-year-old midfielder - who has been dubbed as the 'next Pedri', despite being the same age as the Barca star and Spain international - has joined from Racing Santander.

Barca have completed the signing for an initial £4.1million but attainable add-ons have taken the total value of the transfer up to £16.5million.

Torre has penned a long-term deal at the Camp Nou through to the summer of 2026 and is expected to link-up initially with Barca's B team for next season.

The Spain Under-19 international had netted six goals in 21 appearances for Racing Santander this campaign - traditionally a top-flight club in Spain but who are currently in the third tier.

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He is the fifth signing that the club have completed since Xavi Hernandez's appointment in November, following on from Dani Alves, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore.

Torre's arrival will be the latest young central midfield star at the club, joining Pedri, Nico Gonzalez and Gavi in the positions - where Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto are among the other options.

Xavi told his press conference on Saturday: "We have been following him a while.

"For me, he's a natural talent. He can play in midfield, wide, he's two-footed, has a great final ball, scores goals and is great from set plays. He's very young, 18, but he's a natural talent.

"He has the capacity to play for Barça for many years. It depends on him now, on his attitude, but he is a humble kid from a football family - his dad played for Racing as well.

"It's a great signing for the present and the future. He will be in the first team dynamic but will play with the B team, in the style of Ferran Jutgla and Abde, if necessary because it's important at that age to play football. And it's not easy to get minutes in the first team at that age."

Xavi was then asked about what it was about Barca's approach that allowed them to trump Madrid to the deal.

"That's a question for the kid," he responded.

"We explained the project, our style of football... we were honest with him. For me, he has the Barça profile. From there, the kid has made his decision. I don't know what other offers he had. It's more a question for him."

Barca are likely to continue investing in their squad ahead of next season as Xavi continues his overhaul of the club.