Ferran Torres is on the verge of leaving Manchester City for Barcelona, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The two clubs have been locked in talks over the Spain international and on Wednesday night it was reported that they had agreed a deal worth an initial £46.7million, which could rise by a further £10m in add-ons.
Ferran is expected to undergo a medical at Barcelona in the next 24 hours and sign a five-year contract at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s previously precarious financial situation and Ferran’s impact since joining City from Valencia for £20.8m plus bonuses in August 2020 has led to surprise over such an agreement, particularly in the mid-season window.
However, Guardiola insists he has no intention of standing in the way of a player who wants to depart.
“It’s not done officially, I know they are negotiating and it is close. When the club announces, it’s done,” he told reporters at a press conference held before City’s Premier League meeting with Leicester on Boxing Day.
Asked if he was disappointed, Guardiola added: “Absolutely not. If you want to leave because you’re not happy here, you believe you’ll be happy in another place, you have to go.
“The career is short, one day it’s over. If he wants to leave, absolutely no disappointment. It’s his desire, I’m happy for him.
“If we had just two or three attacking players then maybe Ferran would think he had more chance to play and stay longer.
“Always I have the feeling that when Barcelona or Real Madrid knock on the door of players then it is difficult to say no. So difficult. They are still the strongest teams in the world in terms of fashion, cities and many reasons.
“He is from Spain, Barcelona knock and I understand why he wants to leave.”
Guardiola also claimed that City had no plans to sign a new forward in January despite Ferran’s impending exit, while reports suggest impressive youngster Cole Palmer will be staying put at the Etihad amid loan interest from Newcastle.
