Barcelona’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, said the
club knew there was no room for Torres in the squad “in terms of salaries” when
he was bought from Manchester City for an initial fee of 55 million euros
($62.25 million) last week.
“However, we have been making moves in different areas,”
Alemany said, “and we are convinced we can register him.”
Torres appeared unconcerned, saying he was “calm because the
club is doing all it can.”
Torres said he returns to Spain a better player having been
coached by Pep Guardiola at City, which he joined in the offseason of 2020 from
Valencia. He scored 16 goals in 43 games in all competitions for City but was
never a regular because of the many attacking options available to Guardiola.
Torres played both as a winger and a central striker.
“When I left Manchester City, I had the idea of coming back
to La Liga and Barça showed an interest,” he said. “I am ambitious player and I
like a challenge. I want to take Barça back to where it belongs.”
Torres hasn’t played since October because of a foot injury
sustained on international duty with Spain but is hoping to be available for
the match against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals on Jan. 12.
Torres signed a five-year deal and has a buyout clause of 1
billion euros ($1.13 billion).