Aston Villa hold all the cards amid Pau Torres to Barcelona transfer chatter
Barcelona have prioritised signing a left-footed centre-back, with Aston Villa’s Pau Torres of serious interest.
Torres has been getting better and better for Aston Villa, and the news will not come as a surprise to Unai Emery or supporters.
The Spaniard has started 10 times for Emery in the Premier League this campaign and has been a big reason for Aston Villa’s recent run of form.
Torres is currently on the sidelines with a knock, but is expected to be available for Emery in the coming weeks.
Barcelona‘s interest will worry everyone from an Aston Villa perspective, but the Villans are actually in the driving seat for this deal.
Aston Villa can outprice Barcelona amid financial struggles
According to ESPN, Torres is a player who has always been on Barcelona’s radar, and given their recent centre-back problems, the Catalonian side wants to sign new additions in defence.
Barcelona have received suggestions that Torres would be open to the move, but the Spanish outfit knows it will not be an easy deal to conclude.
The Culers last spent over £50million when signing Raphinha back in 2022, as they’ve since had to endure financial struggles ever since.
| Player | Fee | Date |
| Raphinha | £55m | July 2022 |
| Dani Olmo | £47m | August 2024 |
| Jules Kounde | £43m | July 2022 |
Former Villa loanee Marcus Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona, but there are reports that the Spanish side will opt against triggering a £26m permanent switch due to financial concerns.
Given how well Villa are doing, and Torres’ contract, Barcelona may be unable to pay what’s required for the defender.
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How long does Pau Torres’ Villa contract have to run?
Villa brought Torres to England from Spain back in 2023, and the former Villarreal defender only ever played in his homeland before moving to B6.
While it’s understandable that he may want to return home, football is a business, and if Barcelona don’t have the money, then a deal will be impossible.
Torres is tied down to a deal that will see him remain at Villa Park until the summer of 2028, which means the Villans have another healthy advantage when it comes to keeping the centre-back.
Barcelona would most likely have to pay more money than they have to secure Torres’ services.
Emery will no doubt want to keep Torres at Villa for the rest of this season at the very least, and supporters will have to hope that the defender’s head hasn’t been turned.
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