Manchester United could look to tempt Villarreal into selling long-term Old Trafford target Pau Torres by offering Eric Bailly in a player-plus-cash swap deal, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Ralf Rangnick may be set to leave the dugout at the end of the season, with the interim manager moving into a consultancy role, but it appears the Red Devils are already looking to make inroads ahead of the summer window opening for business.
What's the latest news involving Torres?
According to 90min, Torres has made his way back onto Manchester United's radar after Old Trafford sources confirmed the club are in the market for a central defender.
The report suggests the Red Devils have been keeping close tabs on the 17-cap Spain international as a result of his impressive form for Villarreal and scouts were sent to watch him in action as his current employers dumped Juventus out of the Champions League.
Torres has been a long-term target for Manchester United, with it previously being reported that last season's Europa League final defeat to Villarreal was seen as an 'audition' ahead of potentially making a move.
Despite the uncertainty over his long-term future, Torres has still been a key man in the heart of the La Liga side's defence this season and also shown he can be a threat in the opposition's penalty area by finding the back of the net five times.
Villarreal are in no rush to sell the 25-year-old as they are in a strong negotiating position thanks to Torres' £63,000-per-week contract still having more than two years to run.
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What has Dean Jones said about Torres?
Jones believes Manchester United may look to persuade Villarreal into selling Torres by offering fellow central defender Bailly in exchange.
The transfer insider understands that Torres, who is reportedly valued at more than £50million by his current employers, remains firmly on the Red Devils' shortlist of targets despite uncertainty over who will be in charge by the time next season gets underway.
He reckons proposing an eye-catching swap deal could be enough to tempt Villarreal into parting with the Spaniard.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "I still think there's a possibility that Eric Bailly will end up going the other way. It could be one way that it opens up and becomes possible."
Why could Bailly be offered in a swap deal?
Bailly may have won the Carabao Cup, Europa League and Community Shield during his time at Old Trafford, but he is not a regular starter for Manchester United.
The £7.2million-rated 27-year-old has enjoyed just 487 minutes of action this season, with him being included in the first XI on no more than six occasions.
According to 90min, the Red Devils would not stand in the way of Bailly leaving the club at the end of the season, so using him to bring in a long-term target could be a shrewd option for his current employers.