From Thiago Silva to Marquinhos, former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has coached some brilliant centre-backs.
Okay he didn’t have a brilliant selection of central defenders during his 18-month stint at the Gunners.
But the Spaniard certainly knows a good defender when he see’s one – and Emery has revealed to Football London that reported Arsenal target Pau Torres is the finest he’s ever seen.
According to Marca, the Emirates Stadium side are keen on the 24-year-old, who has a release clause of £40 million.
And Emery, who now manages Torres at Villarreal, has admitted that he’s never seen a player like him before, despite his experience.
He said: “Pau Torres is an amazing player – I think he’s top. I’ve been a coach in 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.”
If we’re honest, it does seem unlikely that Arsenal will be getting him.
Even if Mikel Arteta and Edu can afford the £40 million release clause, this seems like a player who’s going to have the pick of virtually any elite club in Europe in the very near future.
With Real Madrid already reported to be interested, Arsenal’s chances of landing him do seem remote.
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