Emery Plots Re-Union For Spanish Defender, Pau Torres

Unai Emery planning to cash in on former club Villarreal as Aston Villa step up pursuit of defender Pau Torres; Spain international has one year remaining on current contract which features €70m release clause

Unai Emery is going back to his former side to bring the 26-year-old to the Premier League in a deal that will cost Villa around £45m.

 Torres has a release clause of €70m (£60.4m) but it’s understood Villa have negotiated terms to suit them paying over a longer period of time so their initial payment falls below the release figure.

When the deal gets finalised – which is expected to be within the next 48 hours – Torres is set to undergo a medical and agree personal terms, which are not expected to be a problem.

Torres has been associated with Villarreal for 21 years, coming through the club’s academy before breaking into the first team and forming part of the side which won the Europa League under Emery in 2021.