Intense speculation is mounting around Aston Villa’s defensive stalwart, Pau Torres, as reports suggest a surprising move to the Saudi Pro League is on the horizon, potentially seeing him link up with global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
Since his arrival from Villarreal two years ago, the Spaniard has been an indispensable asset under manager Unai Emery, consistently featuring in the Aston Villa lineup with 73 appearances, contributing two goals and four assists across all competitions.
Torres played a pivotal role in the Villans’ successful qualification for European football in the 2023/2024 season and was instrumental in their impressive sixth-place finish in the Premier League last term, showcasing his tenacity and defensive acumen.
Now, Footmercato claims that this key defender has emerged as a prime target for Al-Nassr, with manager Jorge Jesus reportedly eager to secure the 28-year-old’s robust defensive capabilities to complement the attacking prowess of Cristiano Ronaldo within his squad.
The report further indicates that Torres is among several options being evaluated by the Saudi Pro League club, who are also said to be in ongoing discussions with Bayern Munich regarding their South Korean defender, Kim Min-jae, illustrating Al-Nassr’s strategic focus on strengthening their defense.
Unai Emery’s squad, however, possesses ample depth in central defense, with seasoned stalwart Tyrone Mings readily available to fill Torres’ left-sided centre-half role if a transfer were to materialize, ensuring Aston Villa maintains defensive stability.
Valuing Torres at approximately £32 million, a potential sale could provide a significant financial boost to Aston Villa’s transfer guru Monchi, aiding the club in meeting crucial Premier League and UEFA spending obligations, a vital consideration in today’s football transfer news landscape.
Should his departure proceed, it would mark the eighth player exit from Villa this summer, following notable names such as Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Enzo Barrenechea, Phillipe Coutinho, Robin Olsen, Filip Marschall, Oliwier Zych, and Kortney Hause through the exit door, indicating a period of significant squad restructuring for Aston Villa.
