Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'confident of completing Ferran Torres deal'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 22 December 2022

Arsenal reportedly believe that a January deal for Barcelona attacker Ferran Torres is a real possibility as Mikel Arteta searches for replacements for Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal are reportedly optimistic about their chances of sealing a January deal for Barcelona attacker Ferran Torres.

The Spain international ended his brief spell at Manchester City to sign for the Blaugrana in January, but he has quickly fallen down the pecking order after Barca's recent attacking acquisitions.

With Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both making the move to Camp Nou in the summer, Torres has been restricted to six starts in La Liga and one in the Champions League this season.

The 22-year-old has still managed five goals and one assist from 18 outings in the 2022-23 campaign despite his struggles for minutes, and he scored two goals in four World Cup matches for Spain.

Torres's contract with Barca does not expire for another four and a half years, but Arsenal are believed to be admirers of the Spaniard and could approach the Blaugrana with a bid in 2023.

Ferran Torres in action for Barcelona on October 9, 2022 © Reuters

According to journalist Dean Jones, Arsenal "sense" that Torres could be on the market next month, and Mikel Arteta's side could reignite their interest after making contact over a summer transfer, which ultimately did not materialise.

"They really like Ferran Torres, and they clearly believe he might become available because they inquired about him in the summer as well," Jones told GIVEMESPORT. "So, if they're sniffing around him again now, they sense that something's up."

Since returning to his homeland over the winter, Torres has struck 12 goals and set up seven more in 44 games for Barcelona, having previously recorded 16 goals and four assists from 43 outings in a Man City shirt.

The former Valencia man's versatility could be an attractive asset for Arteta, who must plan for the next couple of months without Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian's knee surgery.

Jesus sustained the problem while representing Brazil at the World Cup and is expected to be out for three months, leaving Eddie Nketiah as Arsenal's only senior number nine.

Mykhaylo Mudryk celebrates scoring for Shakhtar Donetsk against Celtic on October 25, 2022 © Reuters

Gabriel Martinelli - who has predominantly been used as a left-winger this term - could also be shifted to a central role as Arsenal continue to push for a January deal for Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini has confirmed that the Gunners are interested in signing Mudryk, who is also understood to be keen on a mid-season move to North London.

However, the Ukrainian giants are holding out for a fee of €100m (£88.2m) to allow the 21-year-old to leave, and he is supposedly worried that Shakhtar are pricing him out of a switch to Arsenal.

Nevertheless, Arteta will soon be boosted by the return of Emile Smith Rowe, who is in the final stages of his recovery from groin surgery and should be back in first-team action in the New Year.

Smith Rowe's return could allow Martinelli to challenge Nketiah for the striker spot as Arsenal aim to maintain or increase their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, with the Gunners resuming their title charge at home to West Ham United on Boxing Day.