Barcelona trims wage bill as Torre leaves and López stays

Barcelona this summer completed a string of departures and early-season developments that have reshaped its midfield options and underscored the balancing act between financial repair and on-pitch ambition. Among the most notable moves, 22-year-old Pablo Torre was sold to Mallorca in mid-July as part of a broader restructuring to reduce the wage bill and free registration space, while Fermín López, the subject of late interest from Chelsea, elected to remain at Barcelona and delivered a two-goal performance in a 6-0 win over Valencia. The club will also send a strong delegation to Monday night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, even as key players Pedri and Robert Lewandowski will not attend.

Club officials say the sale of Torre was a pragmatic decision inside a summer dominated by fiscal constraints and the need to register new signings. Torre, frustrated by limited minutes under Hansi Flick, sought a move to secure regular first-team football and signed a four-year contract with Mallorca. Reports said Barcelona sold 50 percent of his economic rights for 5 million euros, with Mallorca granted an option to buy the remaining half for a further 25 million euros. Barcelona also allowed the...