The variables that tie Barça's hands with Ferran Torres

BarcelonaFerran Torres is not an undisputed starter with Spain at the World Cup and has been the subject of memes for his lack of accuracy in front of goal, but Luis de la Fuente trusts him to revolutionize matches that get stuck, as has been seen in the last two knockout stages of the championship. Against Portugal in the round of 16 an excellent assist from him to Mikel Merino was the goal of the win for the red one, and in front of Belgium in the quarterfinals he contributed to the final siege that ended Rudi Garcia's team's resistance. On the way to 27 years old, the age often associated with a footballer's peak, the Valencian is excited about the possibility of being world champion. But at the same time, he knows that, whatever happens against France this Tuesday (9 p.m., La 1 and DAZN) and in a hypothetical final, this summer will be key for his future as a professional.

Ferran currently has one foot out of Barça because his contract expires next summer and an agreement has not been reached to renew it. After Robert Lewandowski confirmed his departure, the player from Foios imagined that the Catalan club would not hesitate to offer him a satisfactory extension. Before leaving for the World Cup, he made it clear to his inner circle and teammates that his first option was to continue at the Camp Nou, where he has earned respect through good performance and notable numbers. Despite not being the most used striker by Hansi Flick, he has scored 40 goals and provided 10 assists in the two seasons he has been under the German coach. Furthermore, he has shown voracity in pressing and a versatile spirit that has made him compatible with more specific profiles like Lamine Yamal or Raphinha. All these attributes made him think that the club would rush to close his continuity before spending money on other players. However, the signings of Anthony Gordon (official) and Karim Adeyemi (unofficial) and the millionaire (and telegraphed) bet to recruit Julián Álvarez it makes it clear to them that fixing their situation is not a priority.

In this context, we must frame the evasive statements that Ferran has made during the World Cup when asked about his future. But there is another factor to consider in this whole saga that could benefit clubs that, like Luis Enrique's PSG, are interested in acquiring a forward like him at a reasonable price. And it is that when the Valencian arrived at Barça in the winter market of the 2021-2022 season, the operation with Manchester City, his club of origin, was closed with a series of variables that now emerge for the negotiation. As ARA published at the end of 2021,, the agreement obliges the blaugrana entity to pay eight million euros additionally to the citizens in case of renewing the contract beyond June 30, 2027. This amount, therefore, would have to be added to the improvement of conditions that Ferran believes he deserves to extend his commitment.

Almost certain gains in case of transfer

But there is another element that ties Barça's hands in case they accept Ferran looking for his future in another team, something that would help them continue operating in this transfer market with the normality granted by the 1:1 rule of fair play financial. According to the same agreement, the culer institution committed to guarantee the first 10 million euros of any transfer that exceeded the 55 that they paid for the player. That is to say, if PSG were to arrive now with 65 million to take him, Barça would only earn 55 because the other 10 would have to be handed over to City. This reduces the negotiating power of the Barcelona club and empowers potential buyers, who know that for 50 million or less they could achieve their goal. On the other hand, in the offices of Camp Nou, it is taken into account that any income of money greater than the 11 million that there is this summer will count as profit. This is the amount that remains to be amortized from his purchase four and a half years ago.

The alternative for Barça to stop counting amortizations and forget about the variables it agreed with City is to let Ferran finish his contract, which expires on June 30, 2027, and draft a new one. This extreme, however, is currently less likely than a departure for a price around 30 million or a renewal that satisfies the footballer.