According to the Spanish publication La Razon, Chelsea is planning to activate the £50 million release clause in Villarreal defender Pau Torres’ contract, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Manchester United.
Torres, 25, is well-known for turning down a move to Tottenham last summer in order to stay at Villarreal, despite the fact that the Yellow Submarine had already qualified for the Champions League. After reaching the semi-finals, this was an inspired move.
He impressed against Liverpool in the first leg on Wednesday, and despite the 2-0 defeat, Villarreal’s center-backs rarely put a foot wrong all night. Instead, it was Liverpool’s pure class and passion that got them over the line at Anfield.
According to the Spanish newspaper La Razon, the Spain international’s deal has a £50 million buyout clause. Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham are all interested, but Chelsea appears to be the frontrunner.
Obviously, new owners will need to be in place before Chelsea can make any moves in the transfer market – but they are anticipated to have a new board in place before the summer arrives.
WHICH OF TOTTENHAM, CITY, UNITED, OR CHELSEA IS BEST FOR TORRES?
Manchester City would be extremely difficult to break into. John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Aymeric Laporte have all recently impressed, as has Nathan Ake. City doesn’t really need another center-back, though the Etihad will be appealing.
Manchester United is now in disarray, and while it has enticed Erik Ten Hag, there will be misgivings with Champions League football a long way off. Tottenham could be a good move if they finish fourth.
However, it will be difficult to outperform a reinvigorated Eric Dier and Cristian Romero. Chelsea is his best option, with Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, and Cesar Azpilicueta all likely to go on free transfers.
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