Ferran Torres has become Manchester City’s first signing for the forthcoming season after the club confirmed the signing of the Spanish Under-21 winger.
Torres, 20, has moved to the Etihad Stadium from Valencia on a five-year deal and is set to become the first signing of a busy summer for City.
It’s believed that Torres, who was entering the final year of his contract at Valencia will cost City under £35m including a significant number of add-ons on top of a base fee of under £25m.
Torres made his first team debut in November 2017, making 44 appearances for Valencia last season on the way to becoming the youngest player to make 50 league appearances for the La Liga club, breaking Miguel Tendillo’s 40-year-old record.
The Blues, who will take a 2-1 first leg Champions League Round of 16 advantage over Real Madrid into their home leg at the Etihad Stadium this Friday, have already lost Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich and will be losing David Silva at the end of the current campaign.
Torres has not been assigned a shirt number yet, although Silva’s iconic number 21 shirt could become free at the end of the season alongside Sane’s number 19 shirt.
Speaking about the deal, Torres said: “I am so happy to be joining City.
“Every player wants to be involved in attacking teams and Manchester City are one of the most attacking in world football.
“Pep encourages a really open, aggressive style, which I love, and he is a manager with a proven track record of improving players.
“To have him overseeing my development is a dream.
“City have won plenty of trophies in the last 10 years and I hope I can play a role in continuing that success.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “We have followed Ferran’s progress closely and have been very impressed.
“He is young and still developing, but his technical qualities are exactly what we are looking for in a winger.
“He is quick, direct, can create space with one movement and is capable of producing match-winning moments.
“I feel this is the perfect place for him to develop and take his game to the next level.”
Nathan Ake is expected to become City’s second signing of the close season after a £41m deal was reportedly hammered out with relegated Bournemouth, although the club is yet to confim the detail.