Pranav Nair
Manchester United target Pau Torres eyeing Real Madrid or Barcelona switch
According to The Athletic (Subscription Required), Manchester United may have been handed a blow in their efforts to sign Villarreal star Pau Torres.
The 24-year-old is coming off an excellent season that ended with him helping them beat us in the Europa League final. Now with the Spanish squad for the Euros, Torres has seen his star rise in recent months.
The Red Devils are keen to bring in a defender and have identified the 24-year-old as one of their targets. However, it would appear that he is keen to wait for a potential move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Both teams are in a state of refit after what has been a disappointing campaign. Of the two, it can be argued that Real are the ones more in need of a new centre-back.
Sergio Ramos looks set to leave while Raphael Varane could also follow. With their two senior defenders potentially on the way out, Torres has the opportunity to emerge as a partner for David Alaba should the opportunity present itself.
While Barcelona are also in need of defensive reinforcements, their financial situation could prevent them from making a proper bid. The Catalans have largely gone for free agents this summer, perhaps an indication of the dire circumstances.
While Villarreal president Fernando Roig has left the door open for Torres to leave, he has demanded that the player’s release clause be met. The Spaniard has a £55.8m release clause in his contract and the club will not accept anything less than that figure.
As things stand, it is difficult to see either Barcelona or Real afford the fee unless they sell first. Whether United will take advantage of the situation remains to be seen.
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There exists the possibility that United could aid Real in their move for Torres. This can happen if the Red Devils make a bid to sign Varane.
The Frenchman is on United’s radar, with the club making a £35m offer for his services. Real however are holding out for more. Whether the deal will set into motion a merry go around for defenders remains to be seen.
