Villarreal could demand upwards of £40 million for Pau Torres amid interest from Chelsea and Tottenham over a January move.
According to 90min, Villarreal could demand a record sale price of over £40 million for Pau Torres in January, with Chelsea and Tottenham keen. While interest from Premier League clubs grows, the Spanish centre-back will enter the last 18 months of his contract at Estadio de la Ceramica in January.
As Premier League clubs vied for a centre-back in the summer, Pau Torres’s name somehow escaped many high-profile sides. The Villarreal defender, an established Spanish international, remained at Estadio de la Ceramica. The situation could change in January.
Pau Torres has played 150 times for Villarreal, impressing in the last two seasons. Several clubs from England enquired about him last summer. But Villarreal’s colossal asking price may have scupperred any move.
His release clause is worth £55 million, but with 18 months left on his deal in January, clubs could sign him for less. Villarreal want more than £40 million to let him go, with Chelsea and Tottenham among those keen. Former manager Unai Emery, now at Aston Villa, is also interested, but the bigger clubs may have the advantage.
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is keen to bring in a left-footed centre-back, and Tottenham are exploring plenty of options. Those include Pau Torres and Alessandro Bastoni. The Spanish centre-back could be the cheaper option comparatively.
Tottenham lack a solid option at the back, and Torres could be the right player to join them in January. He could slot into Conte’s system and provide security at the back. The Spanish centre-back could prove one of the players Spurs are keen to sign in January in critical positions.
There is competition from Chelsea, who are in the market for a new defender. Kalidou Koulibaly’s high-profile summer move has not gone as planned, and Graham Potter may seek a different option. The £40 million-plus price tag will not prove a problem for the Blues if they look to bring the Spanish centre-back.
Pau Torres’s profile is such that it suits the requirements of many English clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. Even Aston Villa could push hard for his signature, while Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also said to remain interested.
The lure of a top club playing in the Champions League might prove difficult to turn down. The Spanish centre-back may also have interest from La Liga giants, but the Premier League may prove suitable for his attributes.
