Man United want to sign Pau Torres from Villarreal ‘at all costs’ and are ‘prepared to pay £43m for the defender’ with the ball-playing centre back’s agents ready to meet with the club ‘as early as this week’
- Manchester United are willing to pay £43million to sign Villarreal’s Pau Torres
- The Spanish side have reportedly made the centre back available this summer
- The 25-year-old’s agents are ready to meet with the club if they agree a fee
- New boss Erik ten Hag is keen to bring in a ball-playing defender to suit his style
Manchester United reportedly want to sign Pau Torres from Villarreal, who will have to ‘move mountains’ to keep hold of the centre back.
Torres turned down a move to the Premier League last summer in favour of playing Champions League football with the Yellow Submariners this season.
However, the Spanish side face a greater challenge to keep hold of him in this year’s transfer window with United desperate to sign the defender.
Manchester United reportedly want to sign defender Pau Torres from Villarreal ‘at all costs’
To bolster their defensive options ahead of the new campaign, the Red Devils want Torres ‘at all costs’ and are willing to pay up to €50million (£43m) for him, according to Marca.
Incoming manager Erik ten Hag prefers to play out from the back and is keen to bring in a ball-playing centre back with Torres said to fit in perfectly to the new boss’s plans.
The player’s agents, Tarraga and Fores, are set to travel to Manchester as early as this week to begin negotiations with the Premier League side, The Express reports.
Incoming manager Erik ten Hag is keen to bring in a ball-playing centre back to suit his style
The meeting is said to hinge on United agreeing a fee with Villarreal but Torres is believed to have been made available.
Due to the Spanish club’s financial difficulties Torres is one of the players said to have been placed on the market to raise funds.
Unai Emery’s side are struggling despite reaching the Champions League final as their league campaign took a hit due to their European ventures.
However, they managed to clinch Europa Conference League qualification on the final day of the LaLiga season.
Villarreal made it to the Champions League semi-final before being knocked out by Liverpool
Torres has a release clause valued at £50m but Villarreal are reportedly willing to sell for slightly lower than that fee in order to raise funds.
Real Madrid are also said to be interested in the defender but United are expected to make a swift move.
United centre back and captain Harry Maguire has endured a woeful season but Ten Hag was full of praise for the England international.
‘I have to repeat that next season is a different season but I think he did a great job,’ said the Dutchman.
Ten Hag claimed United captain Harry Maguire ‘did a good job’ despite his woes this season
‘He’s a great player, he’s achieved already a lot really also [with his] contribution to Manchester United. So I’m looking forward to working with him.’
However, Maguire will still have to fight for his place under Ten Hag and Torres could bring healthy competition for him and Raphael Varane.
Meanwhile, The Express also reports that Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is believed to be of interest with United in talks over a deal for Ten Hag’s former player.
