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On Saturday, Barcelona announced the sale of Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of €50m. The 26-year-old, whose departure was inevitable given his contract situation at the Spotify Camp Nou, leaves after a largely successful 4.5 years in order to be reunited with Luis Enrique, whom he worked with at the Spanish national team. Torres was a popular figure in the Barcelona dressing room during his time at the club, whereas he split opinion among the fanbase. Nevertheless, he took the opportunity to send a message of thanks to the supporters in a statement published on Instagram (via MD) following confirmation of his move to the French capital. “The first thing I want is to thank you for everything. Defending these colors has been a source of pride. What I’ve experienced at Barça in these four and a half years has made me a better footballer and a better person. In this time, Barcelona has been my home, I arrived promising to give everything and for that I have worked, always with the aim of helping the team, of taking Barça where it deserves, to the top. At this club I leave friends inside and outside the dressing room and many people who have made us all better. Together we have been champions with Barça and also many of us with the national team. Thank you and Força Barça.” Torres exit leaves Barcelona in tricky situation While it was the right decision for Torres to leave now given the contract situation he found himself in, his exit does mean that Barcelona are now without a recognised senior striker. With only one week to go until the start of the 2026-27 La Liga season, Hansi Flick only has Hamza Abdelkarim as a natural option, although summer signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi can be utilised as number nines if necessary. Nevertheless, there will be a strong push to sign a new central striker before the summer transfer window closes. Julian Alvarez is still their leading target, but Atletico Madrid’s determination not to sell to a direct rival means that alternatives must be considered at this late stage.