Aston Villa manager Unai Emery believes his former Villarreal favourite Pau Torres could thrive in the Premier League with Wolves and Everton also keen on the £40 million Spain international, 90Min report.
Villarreal born-and-bred; Torres is one of the very best talents to emerge from one of Europe’s more underrated academies, shining en route to the Champions League semi-final while establishing himself as a pillar at the heart of the Spanish national team.
And, with two years still remaining on his contract, Villarreal would demand a fee that will make Torres the most expensive departure in the club’s history. The silky centre-half, 90Min say, will cost a minimum of £40 million.
Shy of his £55 million release clause, yes, but hardly the sort of sum you’d find down the back of the sofa.
Aston Villa, Wolves and Everton like Villarreal defender Pau Torres
Torres, a modern, ball-playing centre-half who’s rangy 6ft 3ins frame belies his technical ability, took his game to a whole new level during Emery’s spell at Villarreal; a key part of their 2021 Europa League-winning side.
Emery, 90Min say, is confident that Torres could adapt to life in the Premier League. Aston Villa could face competition from a local rival also under new management, however. Julen Lopetegui, the former Sevilla coach, is also a big fan.
As are Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. A January bid from Manchester United feels highly unlikely, though. Erik Ten Hag, his hand forced by Cristiano Ronaldo, is focusing on reinforcements at the other end of the pitch.
“Pau Torres is an amazing player,” Emery told Football London last year. “I think he’s top. I’ve been a coach at Sevilla, PSG, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre-back like Pau Torres.
“I think he’s going to play at the highest level. He’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in Europe very soon.”
Interestingly, Torres is left-footed, a la Diego Carlos and Tyrone Mings. With Carlos unlikely to go anywhere so soon after arriving at Villa Park, does interest in Torres raise questions about Mings’ future in claret-and-blue?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
