Tottenham ready to make move for Pau Torres

Tottenham Hotspur are readying a move for Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres, who is said to be valued at £55m.

Torres featured prominently for Spain as they reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals, and also helped his club side win the Europa League last season. 

Manchester United and Liverpool were both admirers, before they instead opted to sign Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate respectively. Now, according to The Times, Tottenham have entered the race for Torres’ signature. 

The defender’s release clause was originally €55m (£46.8m) but increased part way through last season to €65m (£55.4m). This was due to Torres earning a certain amount of caps for La Roja. 

However, journalist Pedro Sepulveda has reported that Torres has no interest in heading to Spurs, as he wants to play in the Champions League with his boyhood club.

Spurs are already likely to spend big on another centre-back, Cristian Romero, next summer. Romero has initially joined on-loan but Tottenham have an option to buy the player for £42.5m.

Romero is not the only new arrival in north London this season. 20-year-old Bryan Gil has also joined from Sevilla, in a deal that saw Erik Lamela move in the opposite direction. In addition, Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini will be spending the campaign on loan at Spurs, although whether he can displace Hugo Lloris from the side remains to be seen.

There have also been a number of high-profile departures. Toby Alderweireld has left for Qatari side Al-Duhail, Joe Hart has gone to Celtic and Juan Foyth has signed for Torres' Villarreal on a permanent deal after spending last season on loan. Danny Rose has also joined Watford on a free transfer. 

Harry Kane may join these players out of the exit door. Spurs’ talisman is desperate for a move to Manchester City but the club remain committed to rebuffing their attempts to sign him.