Manchester United were linked with Pau Torres for each of the last two summer transfer windows and reports suggest Villarreal may look to cash-in on the Spanish centre-back.
La Razon suggest Villarreal could sell Torres next summer because he is out of contract in 2024. The La Liga could be forced to negotiate his sale for less than his release clause, which could be the reason United held back on signing him.
Torres’ release clause is €65 million, but United opted to sign Raphael Varane two years ago for less. The Spaniard was overlooked again in the summer when Erik ten Hag preferred Lisandro Martinez.
United have defended well thus far this season – with Varane and Martinez at the club, but there will be fears over the Frenchman’s track record with injuries because nobody wants to see that centre-back partnership split at any stage of the season. That would mean either Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof would have to stand in and it would be a big downgrade.
Why not go for Torres if we can get him cheaper than €65m next summer?
At 25, he’s only going to get better. The World Cup later this year could be his big audition.