Manchester United 'Obsessed' With Transfer Of $77M Defender Who Is Real Madrid's Target: Report

KEY POINTS

Pau Torres is contracted with Villarreal until 2024
His release clause at the Spanish club is expected to go up to $77 million
He has become a regular member of Villarreal's first team

Manchester United are reportedly obsessed with signing Villarreal’s center-back Pau Torres ahead of the summer transfer window.

Torres, who is a product of Villarreal’s youth set up, has established himself as a regular figure in the club’s first team. Even though Manchester United and Villarreal have not reached an agreement yet, the Spanish media outlet Diario AS has reported Villarreal will only let go of Torres if his release clause of $77 million will be paid in one installment.

Villarreal have labeled Torres at a value of around $59 million. But the sum is expected to increase to at least $77 million till the final fortnight of the summer window, soccer website Teamtalk reported.

The reports have also stated apart from Manchester United, Torres is also being chased by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

However, Real Madrid’s approach toward Torres has been more like an “informal consultation,” unlike the Red Devils, but Los Blancos have definitely shown interest in the young center-back, according to the Diario AS report.

Torres, who is currently contracted with Villarreal until 2024, made his professional debut with the Spanish club’s youth team. He then went on to make his senior debut during the 2016-17 season. Between 2016 and 2018, Torres made seven competitive appearances for Villarreal before the center-back was loaned off to Malaga on a season-long loan. After returning from Malaga, Torres has become an integral part of Villarreal’s squad. Last season, he played 36 matches across all competitions, while he also netted two goals.

In the ongoing campaign, Torres has already scored thrice in 34 competitive appearances as Villarreal sit seventh in the La Liga table.

Frustration in the fog - Solskjaer (2R) shakes hands with the referee and his assistants after a goalless draw away to Crystal Palace — Manchester United head coach Solskjaer shakes hands with a referee. POOL / Adrian DENNIS

It was earlier reported Manchester United had shortlisted four center-backs for the summer market. The former Premier League champions have been considering RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, apart from Torres.