BARCA CHASE CITY’S TORRES
BARCELONA are pursuing the statement signing of Manchester City striker Ferran Torres.
Torres, currently going through rehabilitation on a foot injury sustained last month, would be expected to cost around double the £21million City paid Valencia for him last year.
The 21-year-old Spain international is understood to be interested in exploring a move after limited starts prior to his injury.
barca’s chief executive Ferran reverter and director of football Mateu alemany visited City’s training base yesterday. City sources said the pair were in the UK for business meetings.
although going through financial strife, barca also possess a long-standing desire to land raheem Sterling. but the forward has rediscovered his scoring touch, notching in each of his last three games after a run of two in 20, and City want him to sign a new contract.
Pep Guardiola yesterday said Sterling had stripped back his game, helping him to return to form. Guardiola believes the 26-year-old is now more relaxed and putting less pressure on himself.
Sterling’s new attitude has brought him back into the starting XI after he fell out of the team at the back end of last season.
‘raheem’s attitude has always been good,’ said Guardiola. ‘I’ve always said to the players to make demands of yourself but don’t put a lot of pressure on your shoulders.
‘In a career as a player, you cannot always be 10 out of 10. you have highs and lows. The important thing is not to get that low. When you do drop off, go back to the basics.
‘do your best, perform to your maximum. but at a team like Manchester City being a success doesn’t depend absolutely on you.’
City, three points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, will still be without Kevin de bruyne against West
ham tomorrow after the midfielder tested positive for Covid. Jack Grealish and Phil Foden remain injury doubts but both completed individual training sessions this week.
Those fitness problems could hand Sterling another start in a front three.