Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly one of three clubs interested in signing Villarreal center-back Pau Torres.
According to Football Transfers, Spurs ‘will challenge’ Juventus and Aston Villa for the 26-year-old’s signature.
Tottenham’s struggles in defense have been well documented this season, with their backline failing to keep clean sheets on a regular basis. As a result, Spurs are keen to strengthen their defense, and Torres is one of their top targets.
The report claims that the North London club made a €48.5m bid for Torres last summer, but Villarreal rejected their offer.
However, it further adds that with the player’s contract set to expire in a year, there is a sense that Villarreal may be open to selling him for a reasonable fee closest to his release clause. He has a release clause of €50m, and it is believed that clubs are willing to pay close to that amount for the Spanish international.
The departure of Antonio Conte earlier this season has left the club without a permanent manager, but whoever takes over will have a big task on their hands in turning around the team’s fortunes.
Tottenham’s current defensive options have come under huge criticism this season, with Davinson Sanchez expected to be sold and Eric Dier not deemed good enough. There could be at least two new incomings in the heart of the defense and Torres could be one of them.
Torres has been a regular for Villarreal since 2017, making 169 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga side, scoring 12 and assisting 5 others. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Manchester United also showing interest in him in the past.
However, it remains to be seen whether Spurs can win the race for his signature, with Juventus and Aston Villa also in the mix. If Spurs are successful in signing Torres, it would be a major boost for the club, as they look to rebuild under a new manager.
