Aston Villa’s number once centre-back target, Pau Torres, is finally on his way to Birmingham. The defender is set to fly over to sign a five-year contract with Unai Emery’s side.
According to a video posted by Fabrizio Romano, the defender’s move to Spain will be completed ‘very soon’.
The protracted saga looks like it’s finally coming to an end after a £35 million fee was reportedly agreed between Villa and Emery’s former team, Spanish side Villarreal.
The 26-year-old will be reunited with Emery after a successful spell together.
Villarreal won their first-ever European trophy, defeating Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final, and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final the following season, before being defeated by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
The move represents a big coup for Villa with United previously interested in the Spanish defender’s signature. More recently, the defender was linked with a move to Bayern Munich, but it seems a move to Villa Park is edging closer.
What would Pau Torres bring to Aston Villa?
Emery could have hardly been more effusive about the 26-year-old when he was asked about him in an interview back in 2021.
Speaking to Football.London, he said: “Pau (Torres) is an amazing player — I think he’s top. I’ve been a coach in Sevilla, PSG, and Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre-back like Torres.”
His left-footed nature and his superb passing make him an unbelievable fit for Villa. His left-footedness was what attracted Manchester United to the signing of the player originally, before deciding on Lisandro Martinez, last summer.
According to FBREF, the defender completes 5.81 progressive passes per 90, which ranks him fourth best at this metric in Europe’s top 5 leagues.
He is sure to be an ideal fit for Emery and the type of football he wants to develop at Villa, as they prepare for life in Europe next season.
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