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The latest reports coming out of Barcelona suggest that a swap deal involving Ferran Torres and Frankie De Jong is in its final stages. The swap deal would see Ferran joining the Blaugrana's and Frankie moving the other way.
Barcelona was keen to sign Torres, but they could not afford to meet City's €60 million valuation of the player due to their ongoing financial restrictions. Hence the Blaugrana's were compelled to include their star man for the deal to go through.
The swap deal will not include any transfer fee as agreed upon by both clubs. It is all down to whether the Dutchman is willing to switch the "red and blue" for "the sky blue." Frankie would not have been pleased with the club's decision as he wanted to commit his long- term future to Barcelona.
So if the deal goes through, let us see how it benefits both the parties involved.
Ferran to Barcelona
Due to Sergio Aguero's untimely retirement, the Blaugrana's are short in terms of striking options. The injuries to Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele and the sale of Messi and Griezman have hurt the "reds and blues." Barcelona's only source of goal at the moment is Memphis Depay.
Xavi has used the traditional 4-3-3 at the Camp Nou, and Torres can play in any of the three positions up front. The Spainiard is not a natural striker but has played and thrived as a number 9 under Enrique and Guardiola. The signing of the versatile Torres would help Barcelona resolve some of their problems in the attacking department.
De Jong to City
The Dutchman would be a long-term replacement for the majestic Fernandinho. Having played for both Barcelona and Ajax, De Jong would not need much time to settle in Guardiola's style of play.
Having learned his trade from the great Johan Cryuff, Pep lines up in a 4-3-3 formation and believes in total football. De Jong can play both as a regista or alongside Rodri as a box-to-box midfielder. The Dutchman's ability to thrive under pressure and make the surging runs from midfield, makes him a perfect fit for the sky blues.