KEY POINTS

  • Ferran Torres moved from Valencia to City in 2020
  • He scored 16 goals in 43 competitive for City
  • Man City want to sign either Haaland or Kane next summer

Manchester City have reportedly decided to not sign a replacement for Ferran Torres during the January transfer window.

After spending two seasons at Manchester City, Torres has returned to La Liga after signing a five-year contract at $62 million with Barcelona. Instead of signing Torres’ replacement during the winter market, the Eithad club will instead try to land a striker in the summer of 2022, reported ESPN.

The 21-year-old Torres, who moved from La Liga club Valencia to Man City in the summer of 2020, netted 16 goals in 43 competitive matches for the Etihad side.

Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane remain City’s top targets ahead of the summer window.

It would not be an easy task for Pep Guardiola’s Man City to land Haaland as the Norwegian striker is being chased by several other top European clubs, including Premier League rivals Manchester United. In addition, Dortmund are planning to offer Haaland a bumper new contract in an attempt to persuade him to stay for another season, according to the German media outlet BILD.

Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Wycombe Wanderers F.C. at Etihad Stadium on September 21, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, German journalist Christian Falk, who has a credible record in the European transfer market, has claimed that Dortmund have asked Haaland to make a decision about his future by the "end of February."

With Manchester City’s latest 1-0 win over Brentford, Guardiola’s side is on a streak of 10 wins in the league. Phil Foden, who scored the only goal in the game, was praised by the Spanish boss.

"Phil has always been outstanding since he came up with us to start to train and play. He is a guy who can play in different positions and at an exceptional level. He is always a good player and we had no doubts about that. He does not need to prove anything to me. He needs to enjoy football like he used to as a little boy," Guardiola was quoted by Man City’s official website, as saying after his side’s victory on Wednesday.

Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester City and Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Brighton meant defending champions Man City have extended their lead further in the title race this season. Guardiola’s side has 50 points from 20 games, eight more than second-placed Chelsea. Liverpool have 41 points but with a game in hand.

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