Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rüdiger and César Azpilicueta all have their contracts expiring on June 30th.
Thomas Tuchel has already confirmed the Germany international has decided to leave the west London club after this season. Earlier reports have suggested Christensen has a deal in place to join Barcelona as a free agent in the summer.
With at least two centre-backs set to leave Stamford Bridge, Chelsea must focus on strengthening their defence in the summer.
According to La Razón, the Blues ‘think’ of Villarreal star Pau Torres to replace Rüdiger next season. He has been one of the standout players for the Yellow Submarine since Unai Emery took charge of the club in 2020.
The Spain international was vital in their Europa League success last term and has played a key role in helping Villarreal reach the Champions League semi-final this campaign.
Torres has a €60m release clause in his current deal and the report explains Chelsea are ‘willing to offer’ an amount close to that figure in the next window.
Apart from Tuchel’s side, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the picture for Torres.
With several suitors, La Razón explain it will be ‘difficult’ for Villarreal to retain their prized asset. Therefore, they will ‘facilitate the 25-year-old’s departure’, if Torres wants to make a big jump elsewhere.
Chelsea will only be able to sign Torres once the current sanctions imposed by the UK government is lifted. As it stands, the Premier League side cannot make new additions to their squad.
