Manchester City midfielder Ferran Torres has seen Real Madrid make FOUR attempts to sign him over his career.

Torres, who joined City last year from Valencia, is being celebrated in Spain this week after his brace in their Nations League semifinal victory over Italy.

AS reports City actually signed Torres in 2020 only after Real Madrid passed on the prospect.

Before then, the first time Real made an attempt was at 10 years of age, but his parents believed he was too young to make such a move. Two years later, Real tried again, though their plans to play Torres as a right-winger turned him off and he chose to stay with Valencia.

Then, after the U17 World Cup in India, Real came knocking again, but they refused to meet the €8m buyout clause in his VCF deal. Months later, Valencia added Torres to their senior squad, which saw his contract improved and his clause jump to €25m.

The final attempt - for now - came in 2020. Real were in contact with Torres' agents and were prepared to bid for the player. But then the financial concern with Spain's stadium lockouts forced Real to step away and allow City to snap up the Spain international.