INTERNATIONAL: Barcelona's new forward Ferran Torres appeared confident about his registration at the Catalan club on Monday (January 3) as he was unveiled before fans at the Camp Nou stadium even though club officials have yet to find the money to cover his wages.
"I am totally calm. I know they are doing everything possible, they are working on it and I am very calm and I know that in the end it will be done," Torres said at a news conference as he sat with Barcelona officials responding to questions from the press.
"With Ferran we have carried out an exception by going for the transfer before having the salary we need to register him. That's being worked on," Barcelona president Joan Laporta said, adding that he was sure everything would "work out very well."
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but British and Spanish media reported that Barcelona would pay around 55 million euros ($62.30 million) for the player, with a further 10 million euros in add-ons.
Barca last week said Torres had signed a contract until June 2027 and the Spain international will have a release clause of 1 billion euros.
Torres joined City from Spain's Valencia in August last year on a five-year deal and made 43 appearances for the English top- flight side in all competitions, scoring 16 goals.
Barcelona were forced to allow their all-time leading scorer Lionel Messi to leave the club this year due to "financial and structural obstacles" and have debts of more than 1.35 billion euros.
Barcelona's attacking options were weakened further with the retirement of Argentine forward Sergio Aguero at the age of 33 this month due to a heart condition
Torres has not played since he sustained a fractured foot in Spain's UEFA Nations League final defeat by France in October. The 21-year-old has scored 12 goals in 22 internationals.
Barcelona are seventh in LaLiga after a poor start to the campaign which resulted in the sacking of coach Ronald Koeman, with former club captain Xavi Hernandez taking over the reins.
Barcelona returned to action after the winter break on Sunday (January 2) beating Mallorca 1-0.
