(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Fri 20 March 2026 14:00, UK

Aston Villa could be braced to lose Pau Torres this summer, with Barcelona’s interest proving relentless.

The La Liga giants’ interest in Torres has been made clear since the winter transfer market, but suggestions have always pointed towards the Spaniards making a move this summer.

Hansi Flick is after a new centre-back, and the belief at Barca is that the Villa star would perfectly suit their playstyle and the tempo of Spanish football.

According to Fichajes, Barcelona’s monitoring of the 29-year-old “shows no bounds” in terms of the club’s ambitions for the future and what they want to achieve next season.

Villa will want to keep Torres, but as of right now, it’s unclear whether he would want to return to his homeland or not.

Aston Villa not safe as first thought with Pau Torres; here’s why

Villa know that Barcelona have financial struggles that could help them keep the high ground in potential negotiations for Torres.

The Culers have a £26million option to buy former Villans star Marcus Rashford, but it’s been reported that they may go against it due to financial implications.

However, considering Barcelona are currently thriving in both La Liga and the Champions League, they may be set for a healthy revenue at the end of the season.

As highlighted by Sofascore, it’s clear to see why Flick has Torres on his list of targets, along with Nico Schlotterbeck and Alessandro Bastoni, two other elite defenders.

Villa do have a long-standing interest in Barca’s Ferran Torres, and with attacking reinforcements needed this summer, a swap deal could present itself.

Who is Aston Villa’s replacement for Torres?

There a couple of reasons why NSWE may decide to cash in on Torres, but with him now at the age of 29, this is their final chance to get a decent fee for him.

The Spaniard is in the peak of his career, and a team like Barcelona coming in may convince him to make one big final move. But if he does, Roberto Olabe may already have a plan in place.

Villa have kept tabs on Bournemouth’s Marco Senesi this season, as the Argentine continues to perform in the Premier League.

Unai Emery is said to be confident that he can lure the centre-half to Villa Park, and the Villans may push on for his signature should Torres depart.