Ferran Torres has joined Barcelona from Manchester City on a contract that runs until June 2027 and has a 1 billion euro (£842 million) buyout clause.
Only 18 months after joining City from Valencia, the 21-year-old attacker returns to Spain in a £46.3 million transfer.
Ansu Fati and Pedri signed contract extensions with Barca in October that included 1 billion euro release clauses.
Barcelona will pay £8.4 million in add-ons and will have to sell some players to meet La Liga’s financial requirements.
Despite its current financial difficulties, the club is able to fund the acquisition thanks to a recent bank loan.
On Thursday, City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the transfer and expressed his delight for Torres.
Torres, a Spain international, has made 43 appearances for City since signing from Valencia in August 2020, scoring 16 goals.
Torres is “recovering nicely after a fracture in his right foot,” according to Barcelona’s medical report, although there is no timetable for his return.
Torres informed Guardiola that he wanted to go in order to play more regular first-team football, and City believe they have strong forward depth, with Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, and Phil Foden all vying for a starting slot at Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona are short on forward players after failing to maintain Argentine superstar Lionel Messi due to financial difficulties, allowing Antoine Griezmann to return to Atletico Madrid over the summer.
Sergio Aguero, a former City striker, joined Barca but was forced to retire from the sport earlier this month at the age of 33 due to a heart problem.
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