Ferran Torres has angered Barcelona by publicly questioning whether the club values him enough to warrant a new contract during his tour of the United States.
The Spanish forward has said he will only extend his stay if he feels genuinely appreciated by Barcelona, a stance viewed within the Catalan club as an ill-judged public challenge because of both its timing and location.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona has received no official information about Paris Saint-Germain’s reported interest in Torres. The club has nevertheless already informed the player’s representatives that it intends to begin renewal talks from September, while making clear that it will not give in to pressure from the player or those around him.
Barcelona’s current plan is to offer a cautious contract extension without increasing Torres’ salary. The club does not intend to change that position, regardless of external pressure, although it accepts the player would be free to leave if a proposal considered fair by all parties arrives.
The forward’s decision to use the media to deliver his message has particularly frustrated the Barcelona hierarchy. Torres has not contacted the club’s sporting management directly, but has referred publicly to offers for his services, including at least one from Paris Saint-Germain. His comments have suggested that he does not believe Barcelona has shown him sufficient appreciation.
Torres appears to be aware of interest from several clubs, but wants to hear Barcelona’s proposal before making a final decision. He is expected to assess both the financial and sporting elements of the offer.
Although negotiations are due to begin immediately with detailed information being exchanged, Barcelona will not formally activate its renewal proposal until September. The club has decided, for now, not to take further action or ask Torres for an explanation. Instead, it is waiting for the player to clarify his position.
There is also a growing acceptance inside Barcelona that Torres is not regarded as a strategic player for the club’s long-term future. That leaves the possibility of a transfer open, particularly if no agreement can be reached over a new contract.
The main uncertainty for Barcelona is whether genuine offers have actually been made by Paris Saint-Germain or any other club. Doubts remain within the organisation until evidence of that interest is provided.
Barcelona is prepared to accept the risk of Torres leaving, viewing that outcome as preferable to losing him for nothing in 2027. The club invested 55m euros to sign him from Manchester City in 2022 and has no desire to see that investment go unrecovered. If the two sides fail to agree a new deal, Barcelona will try to sell him during the current summer transfer window.
From Torres’ perspective, his dissatisfaction appears to have several causes. Hansi Flick did not regard him as a first-choice player last season, even though Torres produced stronger performances than Robert Lewandowski during a number of periods.
The striker is also unhappy that Barcelona has allowed negotiations over his contract to continue for so long, while completing extensions for other players whose renewals did not appear to be as urgent. Those circumstances have contributed to the tension now surrounding his future.
For the moment, Barcelona is standing by its position and waiting for Torres to make the next move. The club wants to understand whether his comments represent a genuine desire to leave, an attempt to improve the terms of a new agreement, or a response to the interest he believes exists elsewhere.
