Juventus has set eyes on Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, and according to reports, the Turin-based club seems to still be interested in reinforcing their ranks with him. Interest in him is not new: the Bianconeri had already liked reinforcement up front during the last window, and Ferran seemed to be an interesting opportunity. However, he is said to still have his head firmly set on building his career at Barcelona, the club of his dreams.
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The Missing piece for Juventus?
According to Mundo Deportivo, the interest of Juventus in Ferran Torres dates back to last summer when the team was looking for an ideal companion for the titular striker-the Serbian attacker Dusan Vlahovic. Even then, Ferran has continued to pursue his dream with Barcelona, and that is a big question mark whether Italy is an option.
Juventus's search seems to be for a player with Ferran's qualities. Vlahovic is an elite finisher, but he needs someone to work off him and create play around him while pinning defenders. That is where Ferran Torres fits in: quick, technical, and with a sharp eye for goal-qualities that could add much-needed mobility to Thiago Motta's attacking line.
Ferran has played in nine matches this season-seven in La Liga and two in Champions League- scoring once and providing two assists. For most clubs, these numbers wouldn't slide by without a resolution. Yet again, the real question would be: would Ferran really want to leave Barcelona now, as he is still trying to attain his actual position of being a regular starter?
Ferran's focus
Despite Juventus' interest, Ferran Torres' eyes are stuck on the Catalan giants. Still battling for his fixed spot in Hansi Flick's team, the Spaniard - who had always dreamed of wearing the blaugrana shirt since childhood - finds an early exit from Barcelona, one without proving himself to the fullest, a little too risky.
Ferran signed for Barcelona with a lot of hope, especially after the training at Manchester City. Still, his time at Barça has had its ups and downs, with fierce competition for attacking positions and the high demand to adapt to the team's style of play. At 23 years, though, he still does have time in his favor to grow and prove his worth. It seems pretty obvious that his intention is to keep on fighting to secure a starting position at Barcelona, even though the path is filled with obstacles.
Juve's backup plan must be rejected
Of course, Juventus isn't just tracking Ferran Torres. Like any top club would, the Italian side has other targets should they fail to land the Spanish forward. According to Mundo Deportivo, two other names being mentioned are French forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, currently at Rennes, and Serbian striker Luka Jovic, who is at AC Milan.
Both players possess interesting features and would be great additions to Juventus. First, Kalimuendo can play on wings and centrally, thus contributing significantly to mobility and good game-reading skills; Jovic is a more physical option to match with Vlahovic due to his greater experience and possession of important experiences, like playing for some big-name clubs.
While these names are on the table, Ferran still remains the top target. His versatility, combined with international experience in high-stakes competitions such as the Champions League, makes him tantalizing for Juventus, trying to regain its status in European soccer after some inconsistent seasons.