Unai Emery was ‘fundamental’ for Pau Torres’ impending arrival at Aston Villa, having convinced the player and put ‘pressure on the board’ to make the transfer happen.
That’s according to El Periodico Mediterraneo, who cover the transfer today and how Emery has been the key to everything happening.
Torres is currently in Birmingham completing the final points of his transfer to Aston Villa from Villarreal, having been spotted at the airport travelling to Villa Park yesterday.
El Periodico Mediterraneo explain that deal is set to be finalised ‘in the next few hours’ and Torres will leave the ‘club he loves’ for Aston Villa.
He’s leaving in search of new challenges in his career, with Emery ‘fundamental’ in convincing him to move to Villa Park.
He made it clear to Torres in negotiations that the defender would be of major ‘importance’ to his plans at the club and that gave him the ‘necessary confidence’ to make the switch.
Aston Villa then presented the ‘ideal conditions’ to him, offering a substantial increase in salary, a coach who he knows and will back him, participation in European competition and the chance to test himself in the Premier League.
Those things made it so Torres’ desire to leave was strong and knowing that Villarreal decided to let him go for a figure below his €60m release clause.
Aston Villa had initially began negotiating at €35m but ‘Emery’s pressure’ on the board caused those in charge to raise their proposal to €40m, a record fee for Villarreal that they’re more than happy to take despite the heartbreak of losing a key player and fan favourite.
They seemingly realised they cannot compete with Emery, who has been fundamental to the transfer, convincing both the player and his club to make it happen.
