Real Madrid have reportedly turned their attention back towards 24-year-old Spanish international Pau Torres, as a replacement for Raphael Varane.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid seem to be intensifying their efforts to replace Raphael Varane before the summer transfer window slams shut. The Spanish giants have, to that end, set their sights back on Pau Torres, who is valued at €65 million by Villarreal.
Pau Torres has come leaps and bounds since enjoying a breakthrough campaign at Villarreal in the 2019/20 season. Since then, he has not only become a regular feature for the Yellow Submarine but also a full-fledged Spanish international while also representing his nation at the Tokyo Olympics, where Spain won the silver medal.
At club level, the 24-year-old has made 87 appearances for Villarreal to date, chipping in with five goals and four assists. His progress at El Madrigal has certainly not gone unnoticed, with the who’s who of European football all having laid their eyes on him at some point or another. As things stand, though, Torres is once again a target for Real Madrid.
The Merengues hold a long-standing interest in Torres, having first looked at him as a long-term replacement for Sergio Ramos. However, since then David Alaba has come into the club, and is likely to be the Spanish international’s successor. Real Madrid, though, have been forced to dip their toes in the transfer market for another defensive solution.
That is because Raphael Varane has chosen to join Manchester United, who were once linked with Torres as well. And so, Real Madrid have been left with Alaba, Eder Militao and Nacho as the only reliable options at the heart of the defence, with Jesus Vallejo only likely to be a backup option.
As a result, Los Blancos have had to reignite their interest in two of their previous targets – Jules Kounde and Pau Torres. While Kounde has been heavily linked with Chelsea, his €80 million exit clause is problematic for Real Madrid amid some financial issues plaguing them in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Torres, on the other hand, has a €65 million release clause, although Real Madrid feel they can negotiate an acceptable sum for him, thereby making him one of their top targets late in the summer transfer window. What now remains to be seen is if Real Madrid indeed launch the offensive for the 24-year-old Spanish international or look for other alternatives, and if they are forced to trigger his €65 million clause.