Manchester United & Manchester City to do battle for La Liga centre-back

Updated: July 25, 2022 at 7:18 pm GMT+1

Both Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in Pau Torres, according to reports.

Torres is a product of Spanish outfit Villarreal’s youth system. After honing his craft on loan with Malaga, Torres has since returned to Villarreal, where he has cemented himself as a key figure in Unai Emery’s side.

The 25-year-old notched 44 appearances across all competitions for El Submarino Amarillo last term, playing a crucial role in their first-ever Europa League triumph.

The 17-time capped international has also demonstrated his impressive passing range and ability on the ball over the last few seasons, a trait which all top centre-backs need to possess in the modern game.

Such impressive form saw Torres linked with a whole host of top clubs this past summer, including Tottenham.

However, the defender opted to stay put in Spain, explaining his decision to do so back in September of 2021: “I was informed of Tottenham’s interest, but I have always been clear that I wanted to stay at Villarreal.

“My idea was to have an exciting season, I was very clear about what I wanted, and that was to stay at home and at Villarreal. That’s why it was a quick decision.

“All decisions are respectable; I wanted to stay. I’m happy with the decision I made, my idea was to stay at home and I’m happy about that.”

Manchester clubs eye Torres

However, whilst Villarreal have since enjoyed a historic Champions League run, they look set to crash out of the competition at the semi-final stage at the hands of Liverpool, and are also in danger of missing out on European football for next term.

This comes with the club sitting 7^th in La Liga, but three points off 6^th with a game more played.

Torres, as a result, may wish to finally make the move abroad this summer.

And now, reports coming out of Spain claim that both Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in his signature.

Todo Fichajes report that Man United think of Torres as the best centre-back option on the market, whilst Pep Guardiola has been following the Spanish international for some time, and wishes to incorporate Torres into his City squad.

The transfer fee touted for the 25-year-old is €60m, though it is claimed that this could be lowered.