The talented Arsenal attack now includes Marquinhos, Nicolas Pépé, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, and Reiss Nelson after they returned from their respective loan stints at Norwich City and OGC Nice. However, Fabrizio Romano suggested in his Caught Offside column that the Gunners may not be done shopping this summer.
As Ferran Torres’ future at Barcelona was uncertain, Alex Crook of talkSPORT reported in May that Arsenal were interested in signing him. More recent sources claim that Arteta is still considering signing the 23-year-old, but Romano doesn’t think they’ll make another move for him. Because Mikel Arteta already has choices in the first team, he hasn’t heard anything tangible to imply that Arsenal will submit an offer.
‘I’m aware of some additional Arsenal rumours circulating, with some claims suggesting Ferran Torres may leave Barcelona, potentially on loan,’ Romano added. There is nothing substantial on it that I am aware of right now. Barcelona would be willing to talk about this if there were significant offers, but nothing has transpired so far, and things are quite quiet.
Torres is still a talented player, despite everything. The Spanish international has scored 15 goals in 35 games for his nation, but he hasn’t been able to carry that success over to the club level. Since moving from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022, Torres has made 71 appearances and contributed to just 14 goals and nine assists.
The previous season, Torres played in 33 league games but only started 14 of them after losing the starting spot to Raphinha. In the Premier League, he was forced to share playing time with Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembélé since he received five more cautions than goals. Torres was acquired by Barcelona for €55m (£47m), but they are prepared to sell him for £35m.
In the Premier League, Arsenal scored 88 goals, so they may believe they have enough options for attack without adding another forward. Torres isn’t a step up from Saka, Martinelli, or Trossard, and Arteta will be happy to have Nelson as a back-up, so it’s understandable that Romano hasn’t heard anything to suggest a deal is imminent.
Eddie Nketiah wasn’t very productive as Gabriel Jesus’ replacement last season, so the Gunners might use a centre-forward. However, unless Arteta authorises a mass departure in Torres’ place, they don’t need another wide player.
