Report: Newcastle now submit £43M bid to sign £210K/wk Barcelona star player

Newcastle United’s ambitious attempt to bring Ferran Torres back to the Premier League has hit a significant roadblock, with Barcelona rejecting their £43.3 million offer for the Spanish forward.

The Magpies, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, had identified the 25-year-old as a potential solution to their attacking woes, but their pursuit appears destined to fail with both player and club committed to continuing their partnership at Camp Nou.

Torres, who previously shone under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before returning to Spain in 2022, has become an integral part of Hansi Flick’s plans despite fierce competition for places.

Last season, he delivered an impressive return of 10 goals and 6 assists in just 27 La Liga appearances—often as a substitute behind Robert Lewandowski and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

His efficiency in front of goal was among Europe’s best, averaging a strike every 79.1 minutes at one stage.

Barcelona’s hierarchy, including president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, have made it clear they view Torres as a key asset.

The forward himself has expressed no desire to leave, even signaling his willingness to discuss a contract extension despite the recent arrival of Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.

With two years remaining on his current deal—worth £210,000 per week—Torres seems settled in Catalonia, leaving Newcastle to explore alternative targets.

For Eddie Howe, this setback compounds an already frustrating transfer window. The ongoing Alexander Isak saga continues to loom large, with the Swedish striker still training separately from the squad as he pushes for a move to Liverpool.

Newcastle’s failure to secure RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko earlier in the summer has left them scrambling for reinforcements, and while Brentford’s Yoane Wissa remains a viable option, Torres would have offered a higher-caliber solution.

The Spaniard’s Premier League pedigree—9 goals in 28 appearances for City—made him an attractive prospect for a Newcastle side craving proven top-flight quality.

Guardiola’s past comments about Torres’ 2022 departure (“I cannot push a player if his mind is elsewhere”) now echo ironically, as the forward once again resists English overtures in favor of his Spanish roots.

With the season opener against Aston Villa just days away, Newcastle’s attacking plans remain in flux.

Isak’s expected absence leaves a gaping hole up front, and while Wissa’s potential arrival would provide some relief, the Magpies’ inability to land a marquee signing like Torres highlights the challenges they face in competing with elite clubs for top talent.

As the September 1 deadline approaches, Newcastle must pivot quickly. Torres may be out of reach, but with Isak’s future still unresolved and the squad lacking depth, Howe cannot afford further hesitation in the market.

The Magpies’ ambitions this season could hinge on their ability to secure a reliable goalscorer—and time is running out to find one.