Why Barcelona are signing Ferran Torres
Barcelona and Manchester City have agreed on a deal that will see Ferran Torres move from the Etihad to the Camp Nou.
A transfer worth €65 million - €55 plus add-ons - will see the 21-year-old Spain international move back to his homeland after 18 months in the Premier League with City.
Despite manager Pep Guardiola wanting the player to stay in Manchester, Torres has opted to join Xavi's rebuild of the beleaguered Spanish giants.
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But why were Barca so relentless in their pursuit?
Here, FootballTransfers takes a look.
Barcelona's horror showing in the Champions League
Barcelona exited the Champions League at the group stage for the first time since 2004.
In doing so, the five-time winners scored just two goals in their six group fixtures. Only Malmo had a poorer return.
It's an amazing statistic for a team who was blessed with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar at one point and scored goals for fun.
Torres has the potential to be the star at the Blaugrana and the man Xavi can build his team around.
He has netted 12 times in his 22 Spain caps and grabbed two Premier League goals in his four appearances.
Xavi looking for youth
Xavi is looking for youth to give his new-look side longevity, and Torres gives him that.
Lining up alongside another young star in Ansu Fati - not to mention countless others - means the new head coach has a starting point in which to build the side in his image.
Xavi's coaching philosophy
Xavi opened up recently about his coaching philosophy, in that he wants his sides to retain the ball and use a high press when out of position.
That mentality is similar to Guardiola's style, and much of what Xavi will try to implement will have originated from his older compatriot.
Torres has played under Guardiola for the past season and a half, so will understand the job Xavi will ask him to do.
Is this a new dawn for Barcelona?
Barcelona now have options with Torres likely to play as a false nine and Memphis Depay and Ousmane Dembele on either side of him. If Fati can get himself fit, he can offer further firepower to a team that have only scored 29 goals in La Liga.
A revolution has to start somewhere, and the transfer of Torres from City might just be the beginning of a team that will once again compete for La Liga and Champions League trophies.
