Real Madrid and Manchester United reportedly face stiff competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Pau Torres from Villarreal.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, the race to sign Pau Torres continues to heat up, with Liverpool the latest big-name club to show an interest in him. The 24-year-old Villarreal defender is also being courted by Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Pau Torres has taken no time in establishing himself as not only a mainstay for Villarreal but also one of the best defenders in La Liga. After enjoying a breakthrough campaign with the Yellow Submarine in 2019/20, the Spanish international has continued to go from strength to strength this term.
Till date, the 24-year-old has turned out 81 times for Villarreal, even chipping in with 5 goals and 3 assists. His exploits have invariably captured the attention of some of the best clubs in the world, including Real Madrid, Manchester United and now, Liverpool.
Real Madrid are reportedly set to sign David Alaba on a free transfer this summer, but are likely to press ahead with the transfer of another centre-back, seeing as they are in a precarious situation over the futures of two regulars in Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. To that end, Torres is a viable target for Los Blancos.
Manchester United, meanwhile, could be the preferred destination for Torres as per widespread reports. Although the Red Devils have also been linked with Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, they are keeping their options open, with Torres one of the said options. The eagerness to sign a central defender is also well informed, considering the fitness issues that have plagued Victor Lindelof this season.
To that end, it was recently suggested that Manchester United were in advanced talks to sign Pau Torres this summer. The Red Devils and Real Madrid, though, are now facing stiff competition from Liverpool in the race to sign the Villarreal defender.
While Liverpool appear set to sign Ibrahima Konate, they, like Real Madrid, might want to sign two centre-backs instead of just one this summer, seeing as Ozan Kabak is not guaranteed to join them on a permanent deal. With Joel Matip’s tryst with injuries now common knowledge, it is prudent to consider another option in Torres.
The report suggests that Liverpool are not willing to meet Villarreal’s €50 million valuation of the 24-year-old, but will hope to negotiate a sum that is close to that figure. This, coupled with the fact that they could miss out on Champions League football could well put them at the back of the queue, especially if Real Madrid and Manchester United are prepared to pay the required amount. The race to sign Torres, though is surely heating up.