Pau Torres would be an Arsenal or Real Madrid star, says Unai Emery

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 May 2021 20:22 BST
• 2 min read

Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery believes that Pau Torres is a candidate to one day play for the Gunners.

Torres is a member of Emery’s Villarreal squad and has helped them to fourth spot in La Liga.

The 23-year-old has been involved in all 18 of the club’s league matches to date this season, which have seen them earn 32 points.

Arsenal are credited with an interest in Torres. With a turnover of players expected to come in the heart of their defence in the coming months, a switch to North London seems a credible option.

Although Real Madrid are tipped to move for him as a replacement for Serio Ramos, it is certainly not a possibility that Emery is ruling out.

“Pau Torres is an amazing player – I think he’s top,” Emery told football.london.

“I’ve been a coach in Sevilla, PSG, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre back like Pau Torres.

“I think he’s going to play at the highest level, he’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in Europe very soon.”

Torres’ Villarreal story

Torres has now played seven times for Spain and has been on the books of Villarreal for the duration of his professional career, with the exception of a season-long loan at Malaga.

The left-sided centre-back has played over 102 professional matches, including 62 for Villarreal.

Emery’s side have boasted one of the meanest defences in Spain this season and have conceded more than a single goal in a game only on two occasions.

Torres and his side will not be in La Liga action this weekend. Instead, they will tackle Tenerife in the Copa del Rey on Sunday, followed by a home encounter against Granada.

In the second half of the season, they have the Europa League to look forward to. In that competition, they will play RB Salzburg over two legs in the last 32.