Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Villarreal defender Pau Torres this summer. The Lions ended the 2022-23 season strongly under Unai Emery. They were around the relegation places when Unai Emery arrived, but he guided them to a seventh-place finish.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Aston Villa have contacted Villarreal over a potential move for Torres.
The Midlands outfit will be competing in the Europa Conference League next season, so the Spanish tactician is unsurprisingly looking to bolster his squad ahead of the club’s return to Europe.
Torres, 26, has built on his already growing reputation across Europe during the 2022/23 season, making a total of 34 La Liga appearances for Villarreal as the club clinched a fifth-place finish in the table. Having spent more than two decades on the books of Villarreal, the defender has told his agents to inform the club that he wishes to leave this summer.
The report adds that Villarreal are looking for at least £38.6 million for their star defender, but Aston Villa are not willing to meet those demands as of now.
Pau Torres to Aston Villa – Smashing option for the club?
Unai Emery wants to strengthen Aston Villa’s defence ahead of the new campaign and has prioritised the signing of a new central defender. He wants to add competition for the likes of Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Calum Chambers and Diego Carlos, as Villa prepare for their European journey.
Unai Emery convinces Spain international Pau Torres (26) to join Aston Villa.https://t.co/9nqboiosBt
— Get Spanish Football News (@GSpanishFN) June 27, 2023
Villa were always going to be linked with Villarreal players this summer after Emery left the Yellow Submarines to take over at Villa Park and they are understood to be targeting the signing of Pau Torres. Emery is a big admirer of Torres’ talents having known him well from his time managing Villarreal.
Torres has been a consistent performer at the heart of Villarreal’s backline in recent years. He started 34 out of the 38 La Liga games for Quique Setien’s side last season, impressing with his ball-playing ability, game-reading and speed.
The Spaniard would be a top acquisition for the Villans, and he would significantly improve their backline. With his experience of playing at the highest level and in Europe, the 26-year-old would be an upgrade over Villa’s current centre-back options.
Torres, who helped Villarreal win the Europa League in 2021, is entering the final year of his contract. So, this summer transfer window represents the best opportunity for the La Liga side to cash in on their star defender. He has a £55million release clause but Villa are trying to see if a deal can be done for around £35million.
Having initiated contact with Villarreal, and if the recent reports are to be believed, it feels that Emery is desperate to reunite with Torres at Villa Park.
