Manchester City want Ferran Torres to replace Leroy Sane - but Valencia playing hardball over fee

Valencia are playing hardball with Manchester City over a fee for winger Ferran Torres as the Spanish club seek to raise around €80 million (£73m) through player sales.

City have identified Torres as a leading target to replace Leroy Sane, who joined Bayern Munich in a projected £54.8m deal this month, as their rebuilding plans gather pace.

The Spain Under-21 international has signalled his desire to play under Pep Guardiola at City, having attracted interest from a host of Europe’s top clubs, and has entered the final 12 months of his contract with Valencia.

That contract is understood to include a €100m (£91m) buy-out clause but with Torres refusing to sign a new deal and Valencia unwilling to lose him for nothing at the end of next season, there is an acceptance the 20 year-old is likely to leave for considerably less this summer.

However, Peter Lim, the Valencia owner, is determined to drive a hard bargain as he seeks to raise substantial funds in the wake of the double whammy of the Covid-19 crisis and the club missing out on qualification for next season’s Champions League.

It has made the fee for Torres the biggest sticking point in a deal with City, who are also prioritising the recruitment of a centre-half and a left-back in the transfer window as Guardiola bids to wrest back the Premier League title from Liverpool next season.

Torres remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached between the clubs. Valencia are thought to have an interest in Yangel Herrera, the Venezuela midfielder who has impressed on loan at Granada from City this season.

Those who have worked with Torres have likened his technical ability and intelligence to the former Arsenal winger Robert Pires, albeit with considerably more pace than the Frenchman. He tends to play on the right but can operate on both flanks and is comfortable coming inside and going outside.

Having come fourth to qualify for the Champions League last season, Valencia struggled this term and finished in ninth position but Torres was one of the bright spots and managed six goals and eight assists in 44 games.

Guardiola is targeting at least three signings this summer. City have enquired about the Bournemouth centre-half, Nathan Ake, who, despite being Dutch, counts as homegrown and could offer some cover at left-back, and have an interest in Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Diego Carlos, of Sevilla. Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen is due to be available on a free transfer. Having failed to replace Vincent Kompany last summer, they could be in the market for two central defenders if Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones were to leave.

Guardiola would love to sign the Bayern Munich left-back, David Alaba, who would give City versatility in a number of positions, although the player’s strong preference if he does leave Germany is to move to Spain so a deal could be difficult. City are also admirers of Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, even if an asking price of £80m would be prohibitive, and Alex Sandro, of Juventus.