Why Pau Torres' transfer to Man Utd won't be happening
Martin Macdonald
- 22 Jun 2021 15:02 BST
Pau Torres' speculated transfer from Villarreal to Manchester United is in doubt after the player laid out his immediate plans to remain in Spain.
Man Utd have prioritised the acquisition of a new central defender this summer and identified Torres as a prime target even before he was hugely impressive against the Red Devils in the Europa League final, won by Villarreal.
With neither Victor Lindelof nor Eric Bailly trusted fully by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the club want a new long-term partner for Harry Maguire.
Trending
Following the Europa League win, Torres said that he could only see himself "in yellow" in the immediate future and that he wanted to play for his hometown club in the Champions League.
The Spaniard has now reiterated that desire.
"I have a contract at Villarreal, I just won the first title for the club, we have qualified for the Champions League and it is something that excites me a lot," he told reporters.
"Now I'm focused on the Euros. Then the Super Cup and nice things will come, so I'm totally calm."
Torres confirmed that the "nice things" will happen with Villarreal.
"I live in my home town, very quiet, doing beautiful things and fighting for great things with my hometown team," he added.
"I'm totally calm, right now I am only focused on the European Championship, on Wednesday (Spain v Slovakia)."
I have a contract at Villarreal - Pau Torres
- Spain's new main man at the back
With Sergio Ramos not called up to the Spain squad for Euro 2020, the pressure has been thrust upon Torres to be La Roja's new main man in defence, even with the additional Aymeric Laporte.
Torres' wish would have been for Ramos to be with the squad, however.
"I spoke with him (Ramos) several times. Both he and the coach (Luis Enrique) have explained the decision," the 24-year-old revealed.
"Sergio has spent a lot of the season injured, unfortunately. I was the first one who wanted to see him here because I appreciate him a lot.
"We are the ones who are here, we are the ones who have to take this forward.
"I've got on well with Sergio from the first day I came to the national team, for me he has always been a benchmark and now that he has to decide where his future is, I wish him the best and that the decision he makes is the best for him and for his family."
The transfer could be taken out of Villarreal's hands at least as the player has a €65 million release clause, but Man Utd would then need to convince Torres to make the move which he does not seem keen on currently.
Read more about: La Liga, Premier League, Man United, Man Utd, Spain, Villarreal, Villarreal, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire, Sergio Ramos, Victor Lindelof
