Barcelona have given Ferran Torres permission to stay away from the training ground while they negotiate the forward’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, a source told ESPN.
Torres, 26, was due to return to work on Wednesday following three weeks off after scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final for Spain.
However, Barça have told him he doesn’t have to come in as they finalise a deal with PSG after turning down a first offer from the French club in the region of €40 million ($46.1 million).
The source added that the Spanish champions anticipate closing a deal in the coming days, after PSG have played Aston Villa in the European Super Cup on Wednesday, for a total package of around €55m ($63.4m).
Read more:Barcelona optimistic of signing Rodri, planning improved contact offer for Marc Bernal – source
Barça were open to extending Torres’ contract with the club, which expires next summer, but agreed to negotiate with PSG after the player informed them of his desire to join the back-to-back European champions.
Torres, who joined Barça from Manchester City in 2022, will link up with Luis Enrique once again at the Parc des Princes having previously played under him when he was Spain national team coach.
PSG are in the market for a new striker after the departure of Gonçalo Ramos to AC Milan this summer, while Randal Kolo Muani, who was on loan at Tottenham last season, has joined Juventus permanently.
Read more:Ferran Torres told Barcelona he wants to join PSG – sources
Ousmane Dembélé has been used centrally, but Luis Enrique is keen to add other options to his squad ahead of the new campaign.
Torres started his career as a winger but has been used primarily as a No. 9 during the last two seasons at Barcelona, netting 21 times in 49 appearances last year.
With Robert Lewandowski joining Chicago Fire this summer and Torres close to exiting, Barça will step up their search for a new No.9, with Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez still their top target.
