Rangers target Pablo Torre is set to sign for Barcelona instead with Marca claiming that the £9 million wonderkid has agreed a move to the La Liga giants.
In the blinking of an eye, Barcelona have gone from a busted flush to one of the most in-form sides in European football.
A team who have won five of their last seven games. A team who have scored four times against Napoli, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao.
Then again, an improvement was maybe to be expected given that Barcelona – supposedly cash-strapped Barcelona – signed Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore during the January transfer window.
Who would have thought that an all-new front three – spearheaded by one of the greatest goalscorers this side of the Century – would have such a transformative impact? Funny, that.
Barcelona over Rangers?
Now, teenager Torre is not a signing who will hog the headlines quite like Aubameyang. But, make no mistake, this is another coup to add to the collection.
Barcelona have fought off competition, not just from Scottish Premiership champions Rangers, but also bitter rivals Real Madrid (Record).
The Racing Santander playmaker, who has a £9 million release clause in his contract, is now dotting the Is and crossing the Ts as Barcelona edge ever closer to one of the most talented young players in Spanish football.
A major factor in Torre’s decision, the report adds, is the man perched on the Barcelona bench.
Not only is Xavi Hernandez one of the most iconic midfielders of the modern era. He’s also a coach who, since replacing Ronald Koeman, has put faith in Barca’s next generation of La Masia graduates. A decision driven as much by philosophy as it is necessity.
Nico Gonzalez and Gavi have played regularly under Xavi. Ilias Akhomach, Estanis Pedrola, Ferran Jutgla, Abde Ezzalzouli, Alvaro Sanz and Alejandro Balde have featured too.
Spanish journalist Albert Roge claims that a deal for Torre is all-but done and dusted. Barcelona will stump up a fee close to the teenager’s release clause.
A £9 million sum that, in all honesty, Rangers probably would have been unable to match anyway.
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