It's no surprise to talk about Ferran Torres as a superlative game-changer this season. Hansi Flick has used him a lot when things weren't going well. The Spanish winger has known how to seize his opportunity and his great form.
Ferran Torres has already scored 19 goals and provided 4 assists this season. Considering his role as a substitute in most matches, his performance is more than acceptable. In fact, many would see him as a natural replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Ferran Torres Performs, but Doesn't Convince
From the offices, Deco and Joan Laporta, along with Hansi Flick, are already working on the addition of another '9'. Ferran Torres has performed well, but they believe Barça needs a higher-level striker. In this regard, FC Barcelona has Viktor Gyökeres in their sights, the Sporting de Portugal striker who is having a spectacular season.
The Swede has 52 goals and 12 assists in 49 official matches. It's no lie that half of Europe is after the forward to sign him as soon as possible. In fact, there's talk of a specific offer from England that distances him from FC Barcelona and would save Ferran Torres.
Viktor Gyökeres Aims for the Premier League
Arsenal, accustomed to playing without a natural striker, has decided to put an end to this problem and spend 60 million on Viktor Gyökeres.
Mikel Arteta's team knows they must position themselves first in this bidding war that could reach staggering figures by the end of the summer. Arsenal's goal-scoring deficiency made the English team urgently search for a reliable '9'.
Viktor Gyökeres, a World-Class '9' Almost Impossible for Barça
Viktor Gyökeres joined Sporting de Portugal in 2023 from Coventry City. In his first season, he already stood out notably among forwards in European leagues, but this season is being phenomenal. The Swede's release clause is 100 million euros.
Given the current market circumstances, it's even reasonable. However, Arsenal's offer isn't lowballing. From Portugal, it's said that the striker could leave Sporting for a figure close to 70 million euros, a figure that definitively distances him from Barça.
Arsenal wants firepower to reactivate their cannon. Mikel Arteta knows that experiments with midfielders playing as forwards can work, but not for the entire season. We've seen Mikel Merino play as a striker in certain matches, but not everything works.
The Gunners know this could be the definitive statement. Signing Viktor Gyökeres could be key to winning the desired Premier League and firmly competing for the Champions League. In Barça's context, it would allow Ferran Torres to continue as a '9'.