Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to contemplate an approach for Barcelona winger Ferran Torres.
The Magpies are currently attempting to bridge the gap between contending for European football each season and becoming genuine Premier League title contenders.
However, manager Eddie Howe is being tested with regards to the club's resources with priority needing to be placed on ensuring that they comply with all FFP criteria.
A spate of injuries have led to Newcastle's squad also becoming depleted, as shown in their defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Bournemouth before the international break.
As it stands, Newcastle's focus is on finding another central midfielder to replace Sandro Tonali, who will be absent until August courtesy of a ban for extensively breaching betting regulations.
© Reuters
Their financial limitations is being highlighted by the fact that a loan addition looks far more likely that Newcastle shelling out a fee at the midway point of the campaign.
Nevertheless, with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) keen to explore different eye-catching signings for the future, it means that the North East outfit remain very much in the market for fresh faces.
According to Fichajes, Newcastle and Barcelona may look to work together to negotiate the transfer of Torres.
The 23-year-old is likely to be satisfied with his game time during 2023-24, making eight starts and eight substitute outings in La Liga and the Champions League.
© Reuters
A total of five goals and one assist have come from those appearances, while he is tied to Camp Nou until the end of the 2026-27 season.
That said, club officials are eager to make at least one big-money sale in 2024 in order to aid their efforts to meet La Liga regulations regarding finances and salary caps.
Newcastle would allegedly be prepared to pay €40m (£35m) to get a deal over the line, a figure that Barcelona would have to consider given their current plight.
Whether Torres would wish to return to the Premier League remains to be seen, the Spain international having made 43 appearances for Manchester City between August 2020 and January 2022.
Darren Plant
