Barcelona's Ferran Torres could be headed for a surprise return to the Premier League as Newcastle are reportedly preparing a bid for the winger.
Torres spent a season-and-a-half with Manchester City before returning back to his native Spain when Barcelona signed him for £47million in January 2021.
Despite his hefty price tag, Torres has struggled for consistency since moving to the La Liga giants.
Torres made 29 league appearances for Barcelona last season, but only 12 of them were starts.
However, new Barca boss Hansi Flick handed the 24-year-old a starting berth in their season opener against Valencia.
Barcelona winger Ferran Torres has been linked with a surprise return to the Premier League
Torres spent a season-and-a-half with Manchester City before he moved to Barcelona
The 24-year-old has struggled to consistently nail down a spot in Barcelona's starting lineup
Flick's faith in Torres does not appear to be a deterrent for Newcastle, though.
According to Sport, the Magpies' new sporting director Paul Mitchell is 'looking for wingers in the market amid uncertainty surrounding Miguel Almiron'.
The Paraguayan recently close to a return to Major League Soccer (MLS) and has admirers in Saudi Arabia.
With Almiron potentially headed for the exit, Newcastle are hoping to sign 'a top winger', with Torres their main target.
The report claims the Magpies 'are preparing an attractive proposal' to tempt Torres to the Toon, with a bid to arrive 'in the next few days'.
Sport state Torres' price tag is estimated to be £25.5m, a figure Newcastle are unlikely to have any struggles with paying.
Although Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for Torres, a deal for the winger may not be as straightforward as it seems.
Sport claims the 24-year-old 'wants to stay at Barca' and 'have opportunities when Flick gives them to him'.
Newcastle's new sporting director Paul Mitchell is looking to sign a new winger for the club
Miguel Almiron has been linked with a move away, with Saudi Arabian clubs interested in him
The reports of Newcastle's interest in Torres provides a hint as to how active the club may be in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Along with a winger, the Magpies are keen to bolster their centre-back stocks.
Newcastle recently submitted a fourth bid for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, with the latest effort believed to be close to the Eagles' £65m valuation.
However, Mail Sport understands Newcastle are also keeping tabs on Liverpool's Joe Gomez, who could be available for £35m.
Gomez came close to a move to a £45m move to Newcastle earlier in the window when he was involved as part of the negotiations around a deal that would have seen Anthony Gordon move to his boyhood club Liverpool.
Newcastle's need for defensive reinforcements has also been heightened after Fabian Schar copped a three-game suspension following his red card for headbutting Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz.