Ferran Torres was almost a Real Madrid player in 2020. He finished last season's La Liga as the highest scoring Spanish player.

What happened?

Torres grew up in Valencia's circuit and initially spiked in market value after Spain's U-17 World Cup run in India.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid had him on their radar, but Valencia handed him a first-team debut, increasing his clause and preventing a move to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid's close call

Real Madrid were interested in Torres in 2020, but he preferred to move to Manchester City for a fee of close to €33 million.

Torres eventually joined Barcelona in 2022, signing from Manchester City.

A development that aged well

While Torres is a fine player, Real Madrid will not regret missing out on his signing, as they developed a formidable front line with Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.

Torres has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter for Barcelona, even battling for minutes against 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski until last season.

He earned a call-up for the ongoing FIFA World Cup under Luis de la Fuente as a regular member of the dynamics.

Torres continues to be a player the manager counts on as an impact substitute if not a starter, despite his inconsistency in front of goal.

What comes next?

Torres is currently one of the top pieces in Hansi Flick's dynamics at Barcelona, and his future with the club remains to be seen.

On the international stage, Torres will look to make an impact for Spain in the FIFA World Cup, after being called up by Luis de la Fuente.

The player's market value and performances will be closely watched, as he looks to establish himself as a key player for both club and country.

Torres's ability to score goals has always been his strength, but his off days see him cut a frustrating figure, and he will look to improve his consistency in the upcoming season.

The transfer saga surrounding Torres serves as a reminder of the complexities of the football transfer market, where players' futures can be decided by a variety of factors, including clauses and fees.

In the end, Torres's move to Barcelona has given him the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and he will look to make the most of it, as he continues to grow and develop as a player.

The future is bright for Ferran Torres, and fans will be eager to see what he can achieve in the upcoming season, both for Barcelona and Spain.