Barcelona 'keep scouting' Spain Under-17 international Ferran Torres ahead of future move

Barcelona are still said to be closely monitoring the development of Valencia starlet Ferran Torres ahead of making a move to lure the Spain Under-17 international to the Nou Camp.

Super Deporte claims that the La Liga giants sent club scout Pep Serer to the recent third division game between Valencia's second team and Hercules to run the rule over the teenager who has also been linked with Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea in recent times.

In September, AS reported that Torres had attracted the attention of Barcelona and Real Madrid after being likened to current Los Blancos star Marco Asensio.

Days later, Super Deporte reported that both La Liga giants, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus were ready to trigger his €8m release clause in order to lure him away from the Valencia academy.

Valencia quickly reacted to that speculation however by activating an option in his contract to increase that clause to €25m.

The decision of Los Che meant that Torres will become a member of the first team from January despite being just 17-years-old.

Valencia had hoped that the new release clause would serve to ward off potential suitors and keep Torres at the Mestalla for the long-term.

But it seems that Barcelona have not given up on signing the Spanish starlet after Super Deporte spotted one of the club scouts watching him in action during Valencia Mestalla's 2-1 defeat to Hercules as the Antonio Puchades Stadium on Saturday.

Torres was one of the main revelations of the recent Under-17 World Cup in India, forming an impressive attack alongside Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz as Spain finished as runners-up to England.

Super Deporte points out that Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea have also expressed interest in his services in recent months.

His new €25m release clause could seem too much for a 17-year-old, but it could prove to be a bargain fee if he does go onto follow in the footsteps of Asensio. Barcelona turned down the opportunity to sign the current Real Madrid star from Mallorca as a teenager and many at the Catalan side are still regretting that particular decision.