Newcastle United and Arsenal target confirms summer transfer decision

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres has refuted suggestions he could join Newcastle United or Arsenal before the end of the summer transfer window.

The former Manchester City star has been consistently linked with a move back to the Premier League in recent months after he struggled to find a regular place in the Barca side last season. Torres made just 18 starts in all competitions, with 14 coming during his side’s successful push for the La Liga title and just one came in their Champions League campaign.

Newcastle and Arsenal were both strongly linked with the 23-year-old as the Catalan giants look to trim their squad in a bid to create space and finance to add to Xavi’s squad ahead of the upcoming season.

However, Torres has given a major indiciation of where he believes his future lies in a recent interview as he revealed he will ‘work as hard as anyone’ to capture his manager’s eye throughout their pre-season campaign.

Speaking after his side’s pre-season friendly loss against Arsenal, he told Spanish news outlet Sport: “It’s very important for a striker to start scoring, to get off to a good start. I’m going to fight for a place in the team. And then it is up to the coach to decide (my future).

“The names (linked with moves away) are provided by journalists. I have a contract here. I’m going to stay. I don’t care what anyone says about me. I’m going to work as hard as anyone else. I'm the first to be self-critical, it wasn't a good season last year but I learned a lot. These ups and downs have helped me to be stronger now.”