The agents of Pau Torres will travel to Manchester this week to negotiate a contract with United - providing an agreement can be struck with Villarreal over a fee, reports in Spain claim. The 25-year-old has been made available this summer due to the La Liga club’s financial struggles, despite reaching the Champions League final.
Unai Emery saw his side’s league form suffer as a result of their excellent European run, although qualification for the UEFA Conference League was secured on the final day of the season.
Villarreal’s biggest stars though - including Torres and Arnaut Danjuma - would ideally like to play in the Champions League and may now angle for a move.
According to Villarreal’s local newspaper Deportes de Periodico Mediterraneo, Torres is one of the players up for grabs and is valued at just £45million.
United are among those keen and it’s also claimed that the defender’s agents Tarraga and Fores would be willing to travel to Manchester as early as this week to negotiate a contract.
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Ten Hag, who addressed the media for the first time on Monday, was full of praise for current captain Maguire - although he will still have to prove his worth under the new manager.
“I have to repeat that next season is a different season but I think he did a great job,” said the Dutchman.
“He’s a great player, he’s achieved already a lot really also [with his] contribution to Manchester United. So I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Torres would provide healthy competition for the England international and £40m signing Raphael Varane, who has a difficult first season on English shores.
Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is also believed to be of interest with United in talks over a deal for Ten Hag’s former player.
The player’s agent has teased that a move to United could be closed as he posted a picture of an airport on Instagram, captioned: “Deal closing time.”
United are expected to get to work in the transfer window in the coming months and will back Ten Hag with a significant budget.
With up to five players set to depart, there are a number of gaps in United’s squad that need filling without even considering the need for extra quality.
