Football News: Arsenal, Aston Villa interested in signing Barcelona’s Ferran Torres

Arsenal and Aston Villa are both said to be interested in bringing Spanish forward Ferran Torres back to the Premier League this summer.

During the 2022-23 season, the 23-year-old has been a regular for Barcelona, appearing in 41 games across all competitions and producing seven goals and two assists. Torres, meanwhile, has four years left on his contract at Camp Nou, having signed a long-term deal with the Catalan club upon his arrival from Manchester City in January 2022.

However, his future is currently up in the air, with Barcelona under pressure to make some first-team sales in the upcoming market due to financial difficulties.

According to talkSPORT, Arsenal and Villa are both keeping a close eye on the situation, with both hoping to buy him during the summer transfer window.

According to the source, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is a "long-term admirer" of Torres, but Villa are also interested, with Mateu Alemany ready to quit his position as Barcelona's director of football to join Villa.

Unai Emery's side are reportedly interested in signing Torres, who has four goals and one assist in 29 La Liga games this season, if Alemany joins Villa.

The Spain international began his professional career with Valencia, where he represented Los Che on 97 times across all competitions until joining Manchester City in August 2020.

Torres appeared 43 times for Pep Guardiola's side, scoring 16 goals and registering four assists before joining Barcelona at the start of 2022.

Arsenal, who are currently competing for the Premier League crown with Manchester City, are anticipated to sign at least one new forward during the forthcoming transfer window.

Torres' versatility to play in a variety of positions would make him a great addition, but the Gunners appear to face stiff competition from Villa.

Emery's team has won eight of their previous 11 league matches, putting them in eighth place in the table, just one point behind sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.

Barcelona are still hoping to re-sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer this summer, but the club's pay budget will need to be reduced in order for that to happen.

Torres has struggled to get consistent starts for Barcelona this season, appearing from the bench in 16 of his 29 league appearances in 2022-23.

Sports updates please follow us on Twitter