Chilwell blow for Chelsea

City accepted an offer understood to be worth an initial £46.7m, and a further £8.5m in potential addons, for the 21-year-old Spain international last week.

Both clubs have now confirmed the move, with Barcelona opting to publicise the high price of the release clause included in the winger’s deal.

Torres will be officially presented as a Barca player at an open training session at the Nou Camp on January 3, after the transfer window has formally opened.

A tweet from City read: “Ferran Torres has left Manchester City and completed a permanent move to Barcelona.”

Torres spent just 16 months at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 16 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions after signing from Valencia in the summer of 2020.

He was not thought to be unhappy at the club, with whom he won the Premier League last season, but became keen on the move after learning of the Catalan giants’ interest.

Barca have been beset by financial difficulties in recent months but have been able to fund the deal after securing a bank loan.

CHELSEA have confirmed Ben Chilwell needs knee ligament surgery, leaving the England international likely to miss the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in Chelsea’s 4-0 Champions League win over Juventus on November 23.

The Blues had hoped Chilwell could return to action without surgery, but the former Leicester star will now undergo the ligament repair operation.

Chelsea could look to the transfer market to bolster their Premier League title bid in January, with Everton’s Lucas Digne strongly mooted as an option.

“After a knee injury in the match against Juventus the Chelsea medical department took the decision to attempt a conservative rehab approach,” Chelsea said.

“Unfortunately Ben was unable to progress and so collectively the decision has been taken to proceed this week with a surgical repair.”

Marcos Alonso is Chelsea’s sole frontline left wing-back in Chilwell’s absence, leaving boss Thomas Tuchel having to shuffle his resources for alternatives.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Saul Niguez and Christian Pulisic have deputised without yet appearing fully comfortable in the role. The Blues could also look at recalling either Ian Maatsen or Emerson Palmieri from loan stints.

Chelsea host Brighton tonight in the Premier League.

Ferran Torres has signed for Barcelona, with a contract buyout clause of £841m.