Spanish winger Ferran Torres will complete a switch to Manchester City from Valencia in Barcelona on Tuesday (August-4), as confirmed by ESPN. The fee being paid for the 20-year-old is set to be in the region of €22-25 million, plus an additional €12 million in variables or add-ons.

While some may term this early move following the departure of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich for 56 million pounds as a hasty move, it is important to understand the context surrounding this decision.

The 2019/20 edition of the English Premier League (EPL) ended last week, marking the conclusion of one of the strangest seasons in the history of football. With Manchester City finishing second having earned 81 points, it should have been a satisfactory season for any team, but for the Cityzens it was a disgrace.

With Sane bidding adieu shortly before the season ended, there were strong rumours of the Cityzens beginning their rebuild early following the trophy-less league campaign. Everyone expected Manchester City to splurge big, strengthening their squad for the title push next season. However, what has been surprising is their swiftness and utmost secrecy.

Got 10 minutes to spare? Here’s Ferran Torres at his ????????????? best!#MCFC | @FerranTorres20 | #ManCity pic.twitter.com/9pao6gts8y

— Man City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 29, 2020

Manchester City have started with gusto, giving a taste of their ambitions by targeting the signature of Torres. The attacker was not linked to the club, with no reports of any concrete interest. This is certainly interesting considering the intensity at which reports gain fuel, when a club like Manchester City comes knocking.

Torres enjoys an eye for a killer pass

Torres is a pacy winger who can play across a variety of positions on both wings but is predominantly a left-winger. He loves to take opponents on and dribble past them, with an eye for a killer pass.

The 20-year-old has a level head on his young shoulders. Torres will get a chance to take his game to the next level under Pep Guardiola.

The Valencia attacker posted very similar numbers this season to Sane in the 2018/19 season. The Spaniard completed 1.6 dribbles per game compared to 1.8 by Sane and was dispossessed only 0.7 times per 90 minutes. He completed fewer key passes per game than Sane (0.7 compared to 1.3), but under the tutelage of Guardiola, that number is expected to increase.

Torres also boasts of a better first touch than Sane, making only 1.9 bad touches per game, compared to Sane’s 2.6. The Spaniard is a willing runner who also helps out in defence, making 0.7 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per 90 minutes. As he grows older and wiser, these numbers are also bound to improve. City have a real talent on their hands, and he is coming dirt cheap considering the market.

Manchester City-bound FERRAN TORRES:

“CRISTIANO above all is a great reference not just because of the way he plays his football but also because of the way he carries himself away from football.

“It is worthy of admiration and I would like to follow his steps.” pic.twitter.com/zKnuZDFojE

— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) August 2, 2020

Torres’ performances for Valencia have further drawn comparisons to none than Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, with experts hailing the attacker’s all-round gameplay which will make Manchester City unstoppable.

“Epic failure by Valencia”

“First and foremost, he’s value for money. It’s a buyout clause (around £20.9m) for someone going into the last year of their contract, For Valencia, it’s been an epic failure by them not to tie him down to a longer deal, because he is worth double that, but of course every player in La Liga has a buyout clause,” Spanish football expert Terry Gibson told Sky Sports.

“He plays on either wing, predominantly right-footed, but left-foot isn’t a weakness either. Has played behind the frontman as well, so he’s shown he’s adaptable playing as a No 10.”

“He is a fantastic player, and has been in the first team for three years, at just 20 years old. He’ll be playing for Spain soon, that’s a cert, and it’s a big thumbs up from me for Torres.”

“I believe they’re signing a player who is ready now. This isn’t someone they’ll be leaving on the bench, or in the B team, he’s a potential superstar for Spanish football.”

“He shows willing and is always tracking back, working hard. But he’s 20, and every facet of his game can improve. We’ll expect and assume with Pep’s history that he does make players better, and I’m sure he’ll make Torres a better player.”

“He is as cheap as chips. Honestly, for £25m, it is an incredible signing,” he concluded.

Written By: Rutvik Sanghvi