3 ideal destinations for Villarreal defender Pau Torres

Pau Torres has become one of Europe’s coveted central defenders, thanks to his impressive performances for Villarreal and the Spanish national team.

A product of Villarreal’s youth system, Pau Torres, 26, enjoyed his breakthrough campaign back in 2019/20. Since then, he has not looked back and made 169 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, scoring 12 goals. Not to forget, the defender was a key player in Villarreal’s Europa League triumph a couple of years ago.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Villarreal for a few years now. Torres has a contract until 2024 and the Spanish club have the option of offering him a new contract. However, there is also a possibility that the Spanish international decides to leave Villarreal at the end of the season for a new adventure.

Should that happen, here are three ideal destinations for Torres.

#Aston Villa

Aston Villa have had a campaign to remember in the Premier League, with manager Unai Emery taking the job mid-season and turning them from relegation candidates to European aspirants. Currently sitting in 8th with three games left, European football is a major possibility for Aston Villa.

Unai Emery has done an immense job in a short span of time at Villa Park, and he will have plans to the take squad to the next level through the summer transfer window. Reinforcing the backline will be key for Villa next season and Emery could look to do so by signing Pau Torres.

Emery and Torres share a great relationship, having worked together at Villarreal for two years. So, if Villa can secure European qualification, Emery could play a huge role in luring Torres to East Midlands.

#Liverpool

Liverpool have been far from great this season and could be looking for a defensive shakeup this summer, with Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez massively underperforming. Ibrahima Konate has had fitness problems, and that coupled with the sub-par performances of Van Dijk and Matip have led to Liverpool being defensively porous.

Valued at over €30m, Torres would be an upgrade over Matip. As a left-footed defender, the Spaniard should give Liverpool’s rearguard some much-needed balance whilst being a good option to compete with Van Dijk and Konate.

As a result, Torres would be an exciting player for Liverpool to bring in this summer transfer window.

#Manchester United

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will know that a few improvements need to be made to the squad to make them title challengers next season. In addition to a striker and a central midfielder, Ten Hag certainly needs to strengthen his defence, with Raphael Varane becoming injury prone in the last two years and Harry Maguire expected to leave at the end of the season.

Pau Torres’ potential availability this summer should appeal to Man United, who are wobbling to finish in the top four. Apart from being a reliable defender, Torres is composed on the ball and his distribution skills will help Ten Hag’s side safely build from the back. The Villarreal star could be a smart option to replace Maguire while being a steady back-up for Lisandro Martinez.

Torres has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past as well, so the Red Devils would be wise to revive their interest in the centre-back when the transfer window reopens next month.