Report: Manchester City keen on Villarreal defender Pau Torres

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According to the Manchester Evening News, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are keeping a close eye on Villarreal defender, Pau Torres.

The Spanish defender had been making headlines over in La Liga with some fine displays for Unai Emery’s side. Torres, 24, has played every minute of the La Liga season this term.

And that form has attracted interest from Premier League clubs. The MEN claim both Manchester City and United are keeping a watch on Torres, while back in January, he was linked with a move to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

One sticking point for interested clubs could be a reported £57m transfer fee. Villarreal apparently value Torres very highly and are not prepared to let their defender, who has seven caps for Spain, go on the cheap.

City already have a number of quality players at centre-half, too. The likes of Dias, Stones and Laporte are proven operators, while Nathan Ake only arrived last summer.

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City aren’t averse to parting with the money if it’s a player they want. Torres looks very much the business and at 24, is the ideal age to join Pep Guardiola’s City side and improve further.

But the problem for Torres is he knows he’d be third or fourth choice. Surely, then, there is little chance of him accepting a move to City under those circumstances?

Having played every minute of league football this season, it’s hard to see Torres wanting to become a bench warmer.