Aston Villa are closing in on a club-record deal for Pau Torres, who would probably now be a Manchester United player were it not for Erik ten Hag.
Football Insider claim Unai Emery has made Torres his top summer target, with the Villa boss keen on the Spain international as an alternative to Tyrone Mings for the left-sided centre-back spot at Villa Park.
The report claims Villa are ‘close’ to striking a deal for the 26-year-old, who has also been offered to Bayern Munich this summer.
Villarreal want £40m plus add-ons for Torres, which would represent a club-record fee for the Villans, though it’s claimed they’re hopeful a deal could be done for slightly less than the asking price with the defender’s current contract set to expire in the summer of 2024.
Emery played a crucial role in Torres’ development at Villarreal, and the manager’s relationship with him could be key in negotiations, while Villa’s new sporting director Monchi is also a big admirer and will push to get the deal done.
Torres has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time
Tottenham were said to be close to agreeing a deal for him last summer and Manchester United were set to enter talks before Ten Hag arrived at the club.
The Dutch boss reportedly ‘vetoed’ United’s move for the centre-back, with his heart instead set on signing Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.
The Red Devils’ recruitment team reportedly had a deal ready for Torres when the transfer window opened, only for Ten Hag to overrule them.
As Emery prepares Villa for the Europa Conference League he’s also looking to add to his midfield ranks, and Arthur Melo is said to be high on his wishlist.
The Brazilian – who spent last season on loan at Liverpool – is set to leave Juventus this summer on a permanent basis after his agent Federico Pastorello confirmed he is not part of the Serie A side’s plans.
