Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal could try to sign Pau Torres, a year after he turned down Tottenham transfer

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Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal could try to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres this summer, just one year after he rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal have a solid backline at the moment. Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes are Mikel Arteta’s first-choice centre-halves, while the Gunners have Rob Holding and William Saliba as backup options. Takehiro Tomiyasu can also play there when required, while Pablo Mari is still at the club.

The Gunners don’t really need another centre-back at the moment, but multiple reports have linked Gabriel with a move away from Arsenal this summer.

If the Brazilian does leave, the Gunners will definitely need a top-quality replacement, and Romano has claimed that Torres could be the one.

• Romano says Arsenal could target ‘brilliant’ player Spurs bid £43m for in May if 24-year-old makes shock exit

Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal could try to sign Pau Torres

Gabriel has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus over the last few weeks. Reports have also claimed that Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are keen to sign him, which is a cause for concern.

Romano addressed the rumours around Gabriel this week, and the journalist revealed that ‘many, many clubs’ are interested in signing the 24-year-old. He then claimed that Torres could be an option to replace the Brazilian if he leaves.

He claimed: “Many, many clubs are in for Gabriel Magalhaes. It’s not going to be an easy one because Arsenal have no intention of selling him. But many clubs are tracking this deal.

“And let’s see what happens with Arsenal for Pau Torres, in case some top club will arrive for Gabriel. He could be an option for Arsenal.”

• ‘Definitely interest’: Spurs could offer part-exchange deal to sign ‘extraordinary’ £45m star – journalist

Torres rejected Tottenham last year

Torres is among the best centre-halves in Spain. Branded as an ‘extraordinary’ defender, he has developed brilliantly over the years, and under Unai Emery, he has taken his game to a whole new level.

Just last year, Spurs tabled a £51 million bid to sign Torres, and Villarreal were keen to accept that deal. However, the defender turned it down. In November, he publicly explained why he decided against a move to North London.

Torres, told The Guardian last year: “The pull of playing the Champions League with the team from my town was bigger (than a move to Tottenham). I was clear from the start.

“This is only the fourth time Villarreal reached the Champions League, which shows how hard it is and it was a dream to play in the competition with my lifelong club. The president didn’t put pressure on me, even though they could make a lot of money. He always said ‘the decision’s yours’, that he’d respect it. I appreciate that.”

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