MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly have to activate Pau Torres’ £56million release clause should they wish to sign the Villarreal defender.
The 24-year-old is believed to be a target for the Red Devils following a superb 2020-21 campaign which saw him called up to Spain’s Euro 2020 squad.
Former Malaga loanee Torres even starred in his side’s victory over United in the Europa League final last month.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to bring in a new centre-back to partner Harry Maguire following inconsistent performances from Victor Lindelof.
It has been claimed that there is a ‘growing belief’ at Old Trafford that Torres can be signed this summer, despite interest from Real Madrid.
According to Sport, Villarreal will only sell the player should a potential suitor pay his £56m buyout clause.
They state that they will refuse to negotiate any other price, and will reject any swap offer proposal from United.
Should United hand over that sum of money, he would become the second most-expensive defender in their history behind Maguire.
Torres, who has started both of Spain’s Euro 2020 games, recently broke his silence over his future as he insisted he is remaining calm.
Quizzed by Goal about speculation, he said: “I have a contract at Villarreal.
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“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.
“Now I’m focused on the Euros. Then the Super Cup and nice things will come, so I’m totally calm.”
United are also believed to be keen on Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, who is set to become a free agent in 2022.
Reports have claimed that midfielder Paul Pogba could be used in a swap deal to bring his French compatriot to the Theatre of Dreams.
