Transfer Centre

Barcelona eye Wilfried Zaha as Ferran Torres replacement?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 02 January 2023

Barcelona reportedly identify Crystal Palace attacker and soon-to-be free agent Wilfried Zaha as a possible replacement for Ferran Torres.

Barcelona could reportedly try to make a move for Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha if Ferran Torres leaves the club.

Zaha has now entered the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park and is free to open talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.

The Ivory Coast international has been tipped to leave the Eagles for a number of years now, but a move away from Selhurst Park has never materialized.

Palace boss Patrick Vieira affirmed in the summer that he was confident of Zaha staying at the club, but the 30-year-old is believed to be attracting plenty of interest in the UK and abroad.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are among the Premier League clubs credited with an interest in Zaha, who has registered six goals and two assists in 15 Premier League games this season.

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

Now, Fichajes claims that Barcelona have earmarked the former Manchester United starlet as a potential replacement for Ferran Torres, whose future at Camp Nou is in doubt.

The ex-Manchester City man has quickly fallen down the attacking pecking order at Barcelona and has only started six La Liga games in the 2022-23 season.

Torres is under contract at Camp Nou for another four and a half years, but there have been suggestions that the Spain international could soon depart amid his struggles for spots in the first XI.

Tottenham are believed to be preparing an offer for Torres, who has also been linked with a January move to Arsenal after hitting 12 goals and seven assists in 45 Barcelona appearances.

Fichajes claims that Barcelona are still aiming to recoup between €40m (£35.4m) and €50m (£44.2m) to sell Torres, although they are aware that his performances do not warrant such a price tag.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha celebrating his goal against Brentford on August 30, 2022. © Reuters

The 22-year-old has netted five goals and set up one more in 19 outings for Barcelona this term, and he came on for the final 28 minutes of the weekend's 1-1 derby draw with Espanyol in La Liga.

During his time in the Premier League, Torres made just 28 appearances in England's top flight for Man City, posting nine goals and three assists and winning the title in 2021.

Meanwhile, Zaha represented Palace at youth level between 2004 and 2013 before signing for Manchester United, where he made just four senior appearances before returning to Selhurst Park.

The Ivory Coast international has amassed 89 goals and 75 assists in 445 outings for the Eagles in all competitions and played the full 90 minutes in his side's 2-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth on New Year's Eve.