Manchester City is in pole position to sign defender Pau Torres from Villareal CF. The Spaniard rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur, opting to stay in Spain.
The Citizens had a word with the Spanish international’s representatives in the summer over a potential move to the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, was involved in the talks.
Pep Guardiola’s men have been looking at Torres for a long time and have all the necessary information needed.
Manchester City could replace Laporte with Pau Torres
Torres represented Spain at the European Championships this summer. He made his way through the academy at Villarreal, having been at the club since the age of five.
Manchester City is well-positioned to lure the 24-year-old away from his boyhood club. Txiki Begiristain’s good relationship with Torres’s close associates could be the boost City need.
However, a move for Pau Torres would depend on Aymeric Laporte’s situation. If he chooses to head for the exit, then City’s sights would be back on Torres.
Manchester City has plenty of options at the centre-back position. They are well aware that with such fierce competition, a player might wish to exit search of regular first-team football.
Speculation arose over Laporte’s future in the summer. He fell down the pecking order behind both Dias and Stones as City clinched the league title.
Simultaneously, Torres has been a mainstay of Villarreal’s side last season. The Spaniard made 44 appearances as Unai Emery’s side finished seventh in La Liga. They also won the Europa League.
The 24-year-old has committed his immediate future to the club that he has represented since 2002. Any potential move would have to be on hold until the end of the season.
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