Pau Torres has already disclosed why he could quit Villarreal for Chelsea amid a transfer report
Villarreal’s center back Pau Torres is the latest player to be linked with a move to Chelsea as the club prepares for a defensive overhaul during the summer transfer window.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are both ready to leave Stamford Bridge on free transfers, leaving large voids in the backline to fill.
Thomas Tuchel has a busy summer ahead of him, with midfield renovations also on the agenda.
A number of targets have emerged to boost their defense, with Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde believed to be high on their priority list.
As things currently stand, only Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah will be their major centre-back options, but Cesar Azpilicueta and Malang Sarr have both played in the back-three on occasion.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a fresh name has joined the list of objectives in the form of Villarreal defender Pau Torres.
Torres was extensively linked with transfers to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur last summer after helping Spain reach the Euro 2020 semi-finals, but no deal materialized.
Pau Torres is attracting interest from top clubs again as his release clause will be valid this summer: €55/60m, available until the end of the market. 🟡🇪🇸 #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 26, 2022
Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested – Chelsea have also sent their scouts to follow him. pic.twitter.com/MH7bYNqe9h
His reasons for staying, on the other hand, may offer Chelsea faith that they will be able to conclude a deal this summer.
Torres confirmed in November that quitting was never an option after helping his local team qualify for the Champions League, which he described as a dream come true.
“The pull of playing the Champions League with the team from my town was bigger,” he told The Guardian back in November.
“I was clear from the start. This is only the fourth time Villarreal reached the Champions League, which shows how hard it is, and it was a dream to play in the competition with my lifelong club.
“The president didn’t put pressure on me, even though they could make a lot of money. He always said ‘the decision’s yours’, that he’d respect it. I appreciate that.
“What I could experience with the club was unrepeatable. I’m comfortable in my town, with my close people, and the group we have and the people we signed – [Arnaut] Danjuma, Boulaye [Dia], Gerard [Moreno] renewed. I’m enjoying it. It’s a special year, the group is very close, that’s why I stayed.”
Villarreal, who advanced to the competition’s semi-finals after defeating Bayern Munich, could be approached by Chelsea soon.
After achieving his dream of playing in the Champions League with the club, he may feel the time has come to move on, with Tuchel perfectly poised to benefit.
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Pau Torres has already disclosed why he could quit Villarreal for Chelsea amid a transfer report
