Paris Saint-Germain are preparing a lucrative five-year contract for Ferran Torres as they attempt to disrupt the Barcelona forward’s renewal negotiations, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.
The French champions have told Torres they are willing to improve any extension proposal Barcelona put to him and believe they can convince him to move to Paris. Their offer would include a salary significantly higher than his current earnings at Barcelona.
PSG’s interest follows the collapse of their attempt to sign Yan Diomande, after Real Madrid intervened at the last moment and unsettled the French club’s recruitment plans.
The Paris-based side have endured an intense week in the transfer market. They have reached preliminary agreements to sign attacking midfielders Mika Godts from Ajax and Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco, and have now turned their attention to Torres.
However, PSG have slowed their pursuit of the Barcelona player while they complete their business on the wings and, in particular, resolve which forwards will leave the club.
They have already sold Goncalo Ramos to Milan, while Randal Kolo Muani could join Juventus during the coming weekend. Once those departures are settled, sporting adviser Luis Campos is expected to focus fully on negotiating a deal for Torres.
PSG believe the move is progressing in the right direction. Initial contact over the forward took place during the World Cup, and the club’s understanding is that Torres was at least willing to listen to their proposal.
The presence of manager Luis Enrique, combined with PSG’s strong sporting and financial project, is understood to be attractive to a number of potential recruits. Discussions between the club and the player have taken place, establishing mutual interest, and the next step is to decide the financial terms that could form the basis of an agreement.
PSG are not treating the approach as a negotiating tactic. Instead, they are prepared to offer Torres a five-year contract, which would provide him with a substantial salary and a long-term agreement during what should be the prime years of his career.
That would also give the player greater financial security for the future. But PSG recognise that the situation has become more complicated.
Torres impressed at the World Cup, while Barcelona have still not signed a forward. Those factors could make it harder for the French club to complete the operation, particularly if Barcelona decide they need to retain him.
Barcelona are expected to put pressure on Torres to remain at the club. The question is whether their attempt to secure his future has come too late, after the Catalan club left the matter unresolved for an extended period.
The delay has affected Torres, who has watched the renewals of his team-mates’ contracts move forward ahead of his own. Despite that frustration, he retains a strong relationship with Barcelona.
Torres also understands that his opportunities for regular playing time could increase considerably if Barcelona do not sign Julian Alvarez this summer. At the same time, he is aware that securing a place in the PSG team would be extremely difficult given the strength of their attacking options.
Should PSG reach an agreement with Torres, they would then open negotiations with Barcelona. The two clubs would have to find a compromise because the forward has only one year remaining on his current contract.
