Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Villarreal and Spain centre-back Pau Torres this summer, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
Antonio Conte is thought to want to bring in more defensive reinforcements this summer, despite already bringing in Barcelona centre-back Clément Lenglet on a season-long loan.
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What’s the latest on Torres?
The Mirror reported earlier in July that Conte ‘remains keen’ on bringing Torres to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, even following the club making defensive reinforcements already this summer.
The same report says that the Lilywhites are interested in the 25-year-old, after the club missed out on Inter Milan and Italy centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who has decided he will be remaining at the San Siro for the season ahead.
Manchester United also share an interest in the centre-back according to the Mirror, although Erik ten Hag’s pursuit of Ajax and Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez could push the Villarreal man into Conte’s direction.
And Crook believes that there is “definitely interest” in bringing Torres to north London this season, and attacking midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who spent the second-half of last season on loan at Villarreal, could be used as part of the deal.
What has Crook said about Torres?
He told GIVEMESPORT: “I was told that there is definitely interest in Pau Torres which brings Lo Celso into play in terms of some kind of part exchange deal.”
Would Torres be a good signing for Spurs?
Torres is likely to not only improve the quality of Conte’s defence next season, but it will enable him to play a player he trusts in a back three, and will add to the depth of the squad, with Tottenham competing on both a Premier League and a Champions League front next season.
The defender, who reportedly has a £55m release clause, made 47 appearances for Villarreal last season, scoring six goals and providing one assist from the heart of defence, according to Transfermarkt.
Torres is extremely capable with the ball at his feet, something which is critical to Conte’s back three system, and this is proven by the fact that he ranked in the top 1% of centre-backs for dribbles completed per 90 minutes last season (0.80), according to FBref.
The 19-time Spain international is also a competent passer of the ball, ranking in the top 10% of centre-backs for progressive passes per 90 minutes (4.39) according to the same stats provider.
Torres would likely be an excellent addition to Conte’s Spurs side, and would help lighten the load on the other defensive options at the club, as Spurs look ahead to Champions League football, for the first time since the 2019/20 season.