Barcelona boss Xavi admits Newcastle United 'target' Ferran Torres faces an uncertain future at the La Liga champions as transfer speculation starts to heat up. The Blaugrana are still looking for solutions to their financial problems and a number of key players could leave the club as they look to address their finances.
Former Leeds United winger Raphinha has also been linked with a move to St. James' Park, but the Barca boss has said he wants to keep the Brazilian at the club beyond this summer. For ex-Man City winger Torres, he's taken a different approach.
Xavi claims the club are yet to make a decision on his future, despite the 23-year-old making 45 appearances in all competitions for Barca last season. The winger scored seven goals and notched three assists but has found consistent game time hard to come by.
Newcastle have not hidden their desire to bolster their attacking options ahead of a return to the Champions League, but are unwilling to break the bank and face repercussions from Financial Fair Play. Qualification for the Champions league has given the Magpies more room for manoeuvre but Torres could be available for a decent fee.
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Speaking to Gerard Romero, Xavi explained Barca were still to make a call on Torres. He said: “What Ferran needs is to feel valued and respected by people.
"With him and with everyone we will have to decide what we do. We haven’t done so yet.”
Aston Villa have also registered an interest in the Spanish forward after they secured a return to European football under Unai Emery last time out. The Villains have completed the agreed a deal to sign defender Pau Torres from Villareal - a player Emery knows all too well from his time at the Yellow Submarine.
