Manchester United will reportedly provide stiff competition to Real Madrid in the race to sign 25-year-old Spanish defender Pau Torres.
According to a report by 90 min, Pau Torres has emerged on the radar of Manchester United over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Spanish defender is also a target for Real Madrid and could leave Villarreal ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Pau Torres has established himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga since becoming a mainstay at the back for Villarreal in the 2019/20 season. Over the last three years, the Spanish international has gone from strength, becoming a key figure for club and country.
The 25-year-old defender has enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, chipping in with five goals in 36 appearances across all competitions. Torres’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with some of the most high profile clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid and Manchester United, setting their sights on him.
At Real Madrid, Torres has emerged as a possible alternative for Antonio Rudiger, whose wage demands are prompting Los Blancos to abandon his pursuit. But signing a centre-back is a necessity for Real Madrid, as Carlo Ancelotti does not have quality options at his disposal beyond the first-choice pairing of Eder Militao and David Alaba.
Torres is thus a viable target for Real Madrid heading into the summer transfer window, with his experience in La Liga making him an attractive prospect. But Real Madrid will need to fend off stiff competition from Manchester United to sign the 25-year-old Spanish defender.
Manchester United had pursued Torres last summer before zeroing in on Raphael Varane as their priority defensive target. The Red Devils have now reignited their interest in the Villarreal centre-back, as Harry Maguire has been dreadful this season. At the same time, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones could leave Manchester United to seek regular game-time elsewhere.
As a result, several central defenders, including Max Kilman, have been linked with Manchester United, with Torres also a viable target. But with Real Madrid also in contention to sign the player, Manchester United will have an uphill task to land him, especially if they miss out on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, which is highly likely as things stand.