Manchester United have identified Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a Plan B to Sevilla’s Jules Koundé if they cannot get a deal for the Frenchman over the line.
That’s according to La Razón, who cover United’s interest in Torres and say they ‘threaten his continuity’ at the Spanish club.
It’s explained that Manchester United’s priority this summer is Koundé as they look to find a long-term partner for Harry Maguire this summer.
The Frenchman is one of the hottest prospects in Europe after continuing to shine with Sevilla and there have been numerous reports linking Europe’s big sides with a move.
Manchester United are one of them, with reports from Spain last month indicating that Sevilla are preparing themselves for a bid, which could go as high as €70m.
La Razón back this all up but say that United will not offer more than €70m for Koundé, which also corroborate claims last month that they were willing to offer a similar amount for him.
If this proposal is rejected, which seems likely given Koundé has a €90m release clause, then Manchester United ‘will go after’ Torres instead.
There’s no mention of a release clause for Torres, or indeed an asking price, but it would presumably be less than the huge fee that Sevilla are demanding for Koundé.
Indeed, perhaps it is around the €40-50m mark, with Goal Spain’s Real Madrid correspondent Mario Cortegana reporting that is the maximum they are willing to spend to improve the position.
Rumours about Torres, though, are nothing new.
He was linked on several occasions last year, and it seems the interest has not gone away, with United’s hunt for a centre-back set to take precedence this summer.
