Unai Emery is contemplating an assault on former club Villarreal as Aston Villa speeds up their chase of defender Pau Torres; the Spaniard has one year left on his current deal, which includes a €70 million release clause. Pau Torres, the center-back for Aston Villa, is in advanced talks with Villarreal.
Unai Emery is returning to his previous club to bring the 26-year-old to the Premier League in a transfer that would cost Villa about £45 million.
Torres has a €70 million (£60.4 million) release clause, but it’s believed Villa have negotiated arrangements that allow them to pay over a longer period of time, so their initial payment is less than the release price. Torres is scheduled to undergo a medical and agree on personal terms when the agreement is finalized, which is expected to happen within the next 48 hours.
Torres has been with Villarreal for 21 years, progressing through the club’s youth until getting into the senior team and helping the club win the Europa League in 2021 under Emery.
The center-back, whose current contract has one year left, made 39 appearances for Villarreal last season and was a member of the Spain team that advanced to the round of 16 at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Since his return to the Premier League, Torres has caught the attention of Unai Emery, who thinks the defender can elevate the team and help them secure their place in the European football league.