Man United and Tottenham are dealt a transfer blow as Villarreal defender Pau Torres ‘tells his agents to open talks with Juventus’… with the Spain star lined up as a replacement for Bayern Munich target Matthijs de Ligt
- Pau Torres is highly rated and has attracted interest from Europe’s elite clubs
- Spurs tried to sign the defender last season from Villarreal but failed with move
- Juventus are lining up Torres as a potential replacement for Matthijs de Ligt
- The 25-year-old helped Villarreal to Champions League semi-final last season
Pau Torres has handed Manchester United and Tottenham a transfer blow after reportedly giving his agents the go-ahead to open talks with Juventus.
The Spanish defender is considered one of Europe’s best defenders in recent seasons and has been widely scouted following his impressive displays for Villarreal.
Torres was part of the LaLiga side’s charge in the Champions League last season which saw them reach the semi-final stage when they were knocked out by Liverpool.
Pau Torres could be on his way to Italy after Juventus ramped up their interest in the defender
The 25-year-old has ambitions of winning titles and has given the ‘all clear’ to his agents to open talks with the Turin based club, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Juventus are on the lookout for a replacement for Matthijs de Ligt, who could be on his way to Bayern Munich should the German side sell Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
The Old Lady have also reportedly made a bid for Arsenal centre-back Gabriel as they hunt for a new defender.
Juve could sell Matthijs de Ligt to Bayern Munich if their asking price of £76million is met
Questions marks over Torres’ future have arisen since he was unable to rule out an exit from the Yellow Submarine this summer.
He said recently: ‘Right now there is nothing at all, there is talk of many things like every year.
‘I have peace of mind of being where they want me, at the club of my life and I have this offer right now that I value as very positive.
Torres and Gabriel (right) are both stirring up interest from Serie A giants Juventus
‘There is nothing right now, the only thing I have is the offer from Villarreal, so I am very calm.
‘It’s something I’ve always talked about with the president, that different situations could arise.
‘The club loves me and I am very grateful. I know that I can stay here for many more years because the affection is mutual.
‘We’ll see what we decide. Everything is possible and I don’t rule anything out.’
Manchester United and Tottenham have targeted other defenders as they look to strengthen, with Lisandro Martinez (left) heading to Old Trafford and Clement Lenglet (right) joining Spurs
Torres’ agent recently dismissed talk that the player rejected a move to north London last summer, while United have been long-time suitors.
Tottenham will not be too disheartened by his potential move to Juve after signing Barcelona centre-back Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan deal last week.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are still on the hunt for defensive reinforcements, although a deal for Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez is close to completion.
