A year after Manchester United attempted to sign the Spain international, Pau Torres, defender for Villarreal, has received a formal offer from Aston Villa.
The players’ reps were so certain that a deal would be reached that they even arranged their trip to England to complete the transfer when United’s transfer decision-makers named Torres as their main defensive target last summer.
Erik ten Hag, however, put a stop to any negotiations and rejected the arrangement made to acquire the central defense. Instead, Ten Hag, who had previously managed Argentine international Lisandro Martinez at Dutch giants Ajax, got his way as United took Martinez from Ajax.
Ten Hag made a wise choice with that selection. Specifically playing alongside Raphael Varane in the center of United’s defense, Martinez flourished. Despite his current injury, he played a key role in the club’s Premier League top-three finish, EFL Cup victory, and trip to the FA Cup final.
Martinez’s accomplishment came after worries over his short stature. The five-foot-nine-inch Argentina international is the shortest center back in the league, but Martinez has surprised his detractors this season by excelling as an important player for United.
Torres was the club’s main target for the left-footed center midfielder, but United made the decision to go for the Argentine.
According to a report on the Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Aston Villa has made a formal offer to Villarreal for Torres. The defender would then be reunited with manager Unai Emery, who switched from Villarreal to Villa Park in November. Juventus, a major player in Italy, is also rumored to be interested but hasn’t made any approaches.
Torres was a key player in Villarreal’s victory in the Europa League in 2021 and their run to the Champions League semifinals the following year, where they lost to Liverpool in the final four of the competition.
Villarreal missed out on playing in the Champions League for a second consecutive season as a result of finishing fifth in La Liga this season. As a result, they are under financial pressure and may consider selling outstanding players, which might pave the way for a move to the Premier League.
