Report: Tottenham were willing to make 24-year-old their second most expensive signing ever

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According to El Confidencial, Tottenham were willing to spend €60m (£51.6m) on Villarreal defender Pau Torres over the summer.

What’s the story?

Well, Spurs could’ve made the second most expensive signing in their history a few months ago, although Torres rejected the move.

The £51.6m offer – if accepted – would’ve put the centre-back just a few million behind Tanguy Ndombele, Tottenham’s club-record purchase at £53.8m.

When asked why he made his decision, the 24-year-old told El Confidencial: “In a year in which the national team has important challenges and, when you make changes, you don’t know how it will go. 

“It was clear to me that it was a year to enjoy the Champions League with Villarreal, close to my family. It is the fourth time that Villarreal has played the Champions League and it is what excited me the most.”

Fair enough.

Financially, it was a very attractive offer, but from a footballing aspect, why would Torres leave Villarreal for Tottenham right now?

As he states, this is only the fourth time Villarreal have played in the Champions League, so it’s a special time for him and the club.

With all due respect to Spurs, Torres isn’t going to swap that for UEFA Conference League football under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Tottenham need Champions League if they’re to land players like Pau Torres

This current period must be so frustrating for Tottenham fans.

They were at their most attractive in a footballing aspect when playing Champions League football under Mauricio Pochettino, although that was without the new £1bn stadium.

Spurs didn’t really have the facilities, nor the status, to land players like Torres at that point.

Now, however, after appearing in a Champions League final and investing big in the stadium, Tottenham are very attractive, although they now lack the Champions League football.

The timings have been all wrong for Daniel Levy and Spurs.

Hopefully, there will be a time where all of these things come together for Tottenham – it’s what the fanbase deserves.

If they can tie Champions League football, the £1bn stadium and a healthy transfer budget together, Tottenham could do great things in N17.