Barcelona may have allowed Jofre Torrents to leave for Ajax, but the club has made sure they have not completely lost control over the young left-back’s future.
According to Sergi Capdevila of SPORT, Barcelona have built several important clauses into Torrents’ move to the Dutch club.
The most striking is a €14 million buy-back option, which can be activated from 2028 onwards.
Furthermore, Barcelona will also retain 50% of any future sale and a permanent right of first refusal.
In simple terms, if Ajax receive an offer for Torrents in the future, they must inform Barcelona, giving the Catalan club the opportunity to match the proposal and bring their former academy player back.
As per the outlet, Ajax signed Torrents for a fee that could go up to €5.5 million in variables depending on whether certain objectives are met.
Barcelona have protected themselves on every front
Torrents has completed a permanent move to Ajax and signed a contract running until 2030, ending his time at Barcelona for now.
The important word, however, is for now.
Barcelona’s sporting department has structured the agreement in a way that gives the club several ways to benefit from Torrents’ future.
The variables could eventually bring in €5.5 million, while the 50% sell-on clause means Barcelona would receive half of the money from a future transfer.
The buy-back clause is arguably even more significant.
From 2028, Barcelona can bring Torrents back for €14 million if they decide his development at Ajax has reached a level where he is ready to return.
They would not have to negotiate a new transfer fee with the Dutch side or compete with other interested clubs.
Furthermore, they are also protected by the right of first refusal.
This basically means if another club comes forward with an offer, Ajax would have to notify Barcelona and allow them the chance to match the proposal.
Barcelona would then be able to re-sign Torrents on the same terms.
Barcelona have been clever and cautious
Notably, this is certainly not the first time Barcelona have used such a formula when allowing one of their young players to leave.
The club have followed a similar approach with Tommy Marques, retaining a right of first refusal in his Braga transfer and a percentage of a future transfer.
The terms in Torrents’ case are even stronger, particularly with Barcelona holding on to 50% of his future rights.
Simply put, Barcelona have allowed Jofre Torrents to leave, but they have kept almost every possible door open.