West Ham have launched a move for Barca star Ferran Torres but Tim Steidten must work his magic if new reports are accurate.
Any doubts about West Ham’s transfer strategy this summer have been well and truly put to bed in the last week.
The Hammers made Brazilian teenage sensation Luis Guilherme their first signing of the summer.
The 18-year-old is also the first signing since technical director Tim Steidten took full control of West Ham’s recruitment following the departure of David Moyes.
Upon unveiling Guilherme, who can play in any attacking position, Steidten made West Ham’s transfer strategy clear for the club’s big summer rebuild.
The German stated that he promised Guilherme he will be joined at West Ham by a host of exciting young players.
West Ham’s new plan of attack
Steidten also stated versatility in those players will be a key factor too.
West Ham are targeting a new striker and left-sided attacker as two of six or seven more additions this summer.
The Hammers have been linked with the likes of Matias Soule, Jhon Arias, Jota Silva and Reiss Nelson who all tick those boxes.
Now a new name is in the frame it seems.
West Ham have moved for Barca star Ferran Torres but Steidten must work his magic.
According to The Sunday Express (page 66), West Ham have been alerted to the availability of former Man City star Torres by Barcelona.
The report states Barca are trying to sell Torres in order to have the funds to sign Joao Cancelo on a permanent basis.
West Ham move for Torres but Steidten must work magic
Julen Lopetegui’s fellow Spaniard Torres play left wing, left wide forward and as a striker.
He is also just 24 years of age. That fits the bill perfectly for Steidten’s strategy.
Not only that, Torres will fit West Ham’s summer transfer budget too with Barca reportedly willing to accept around £30m for him.
Given Torres can tick the left sided attacking and striker boxes, that is a reasonable fee that kills two birds with one stone for West Ham.
It’s not all good news, though. The report claims Newcastle, Aston Villa and Spurs may rival West Ham for Torres.
The Spain star is a player Pep Guardiola loved so much he said he could become Man City’s new Sergio Aguero when he signed him from Valencia.
Guardiola reluctantly sold Torres to Barca after the player wanted to go back to Spain for personal reasons.
“Barcelona plan to buy Joao Cancelo outright from Manchester City – once they offload Spanish forward Ferran Torres to the Premier League,” the report states.
“Newcastle, West Ham, Aston Villa and Tottenham are among the English top-flight clubs on standby after being informed Torres, 24, is up for grabs this summer.
“Barca want close to £30million for the winger as they attempt to fund a permanent £20m move for 30-year-old full-back Cancelo, who was on loan last season.”
Torres may dig his heels in to stay at Barca
Steidten may have his work cut out, though.
Marca reiterated the interest from West Ham and other Premier League sides.
But it states that Torres is not keen on leaving Barca and may dig his heels in to stay.
The Guilherme move – as well as Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez transfers last year – looked like they might be beyond West Ham.
Reports emerged around all three at one stage or another that the players involved might want to sign elsewhere.
But Steidten worked his magic and got them done.
West Ham fans will be hoping he can do the same again because signing Torres would be some coup.
Here’s a reminder of what he can do in the video below.
