Manchester United shortlist Pau Torres as potential summer target amid Tottenham Hotspur interest
According to the transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Manchester United have shortlisted Villarreal star Pau Torres as a potential target for the summer transfer window. And as per Spanish journalist Xavi Marquez (h/t The Sun), Tottenham Hotspur have been touted as another potential destination for him ahead of the next season.
Torres has been identified as a potential option by Man United to bolster their defensive ranks this summer. However, they have not made any firm ground in his pursuit as Erik ten Hag will have the final say on the matter. Not to mention, possible changes in the board have also played a part in them not actively targeting the defender as of now.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are assessing a potential cash plus player swap deal for Torres. They are willing to offer a sum alongside Giovani Lo Celso to the La Liga side for the Spanish centre-back. Lo Celso is currently out on loan with Unai Emery’s side and has impressed with flying colours so far.
Blow for Spurs
The interest from the Red Devils should be worrying even though they are in a far worse situation than us at this moment. That is because they are looking to facilitate a rebuild under Ten Hag in an attempt to get back to their former glory days.
That being said, the North London side is a much more attractive prospect right now, and the possibility of playing with Antonio Conte could be an added factor. Then again, we have to wait and see whether that would play a part in this transfer race or not in the future.
After there, there is an air of change blowing at Old Trafford and while they are not going to make the UEFA Champions League next season, Erik ten Hag’s arrival and Harry Maguire’s poor form promise something different for Torres in Manchester.
Spurs do need additions in the centre-back slot since Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, and Ben Davies are the only reliable options for now. What’s more, Davies is not a natural central defender either, highlighting the need to bring in someone after the current campaign.
Japhet Tanganga has often played as a defensive right-back and hasn’t been trusted at centre-back week in, week out by Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, and now Conte. Toby Alderweireld’s departure has also left a void that perhaps Romero can’t fill all on his own- especially given Conte’s tactics of playing three centre-backs each game.
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Torres can be that man, and the 25-year-old could be a smart signing considering how we can get him for just £51million due to his release clause. While that amount is a bit expensive for a defender, it remains feasible looking at how the transfer fees have soared in modern football.
Conte’s side must also remain wary of Chelsea, who are tracking the La Liga defender as well. However, one could argue that Tottenham may have an advantage over its rivals because of Lo Celso. After all, the midfielder has been excellent for the Yellow Submarines under Unai Emery, but whether that will be enough to give us an edge or not remains to be seen.
