Barcelona star Ferran Torres may have just told Arsenal why he is an ideal replacement for Gabriel Jesus in January. Mikel Arteta is exploring a transfer following the Brazilian’s injury.
The Gunners are set to be without Jesus until at least February after the forward’s surgery on a knee injury. He sustained medial ligament damage whilst representing Brazil in Qatar at the World Cup. Torres was also in Qatar this winter as Spain only made the Round of 16.
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Jesus has been an instrumental cog in Arsenal’s run to the top of the Premier League table this season. He transformed Arteta’s attack after a £45m transfer from Manchester City in July. The 25-year-old hit five goals and laid on six assists over 14 appearances for the club.
Eddie Nketiah has now come in for Jesus and scored as Arsenal came from behind to beat West Ham United in their first top-flight game since the World Cup and the striker’s injury. But Arteta is still looking at the mid-season market as a chance to add a potential upgrade.
One option is Jesus’ former Manchester City teammate Torres, who only joined Barcelona in January 2022. The Blaugrana paid the Citizens an initial £46.5m for the 22-year-old with a further £8.5m in add-ons. Yet Torres has not proven to be a huge hit at Camp Nou since.
Arsenal are now the best-placed side to secure Torres’ transfer from Barcelona
Torres has only scored 12 goals and laid on seven assists in 44 appearances with Barcelona in all competitions. He has further only started 23 of his 31 La Liga outings for six goals and four assists so far. Now, the 35-cap Spain forward may be set for a quick return to England.
According to Bild, Arsenal are the most likely club to agree Torres’ transfer from Barcelona in January. Yet Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan also admire the potential the Foios-born talent still has to achieve. But Arteta’s presence will give the Gunners a boost in any tussle.
Torres may have just finished Arteta’s pitch for his return to the Premier League
Now, Torres may have just told Arsenal why they should target his transfer from Barcelona in January with Jesus out with an injury. The Valencia product – who moved to Manchester City after Arteta had left to replace Unai Emery – has spoken on his role in boss Xavi’s side.
“When I play as a starter or the minutes that I have, I give something different to the team [and] break into space,” Torres has told Barca TV, via quotes by Sport.
“People judge by the goals but I am not a forward in itself. I have to generate other things and the goal is a reward for [the] work [and shows] that you are in a good position.”
Arsenal could look positively on Torres’ willingness to put the team above scoring himself as Arteta eyes transfers to replace Jesus. The Brazilian was transformative in the Gunners’ side due to his willingness to occupy defenders and create space for his teammates to exploit.
Like Torres’ role at Barcelona, Jesus’ meant he was not always scoring or directly assisting the goals after his transfer to Arsenal. But you cannot undersell just how important he is to Arteta. Nketiah must now follow a very tough act or he risks Arteta replacing him shortly.
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