Juventus are interested in signing Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres as a replacement for Matthijs De Ligt. The Bianconeri are preparing for a season without the Dutchman with Bayern Munich expected to make an improved offer to sign the 22-year-old.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Torres has emerged as a frontrunner to replace De Ligt in Turin, given his strong performances for Villarreal last season. The only doubts about the player relate to his lack of experience as he’s spent almost his entire career with The Yellow Submarines.
The 25-year-old has a contract with Villarreal until 2024 which could be enough to entertain offers, however Gazzetta suggest his basic valuation is still deemed high at around the €50m mark.
A price could be negotiated down to €35-40m, given that the entire fee would be deemed as capital gains for the Spanish club.
Torres’ salary is considered to be within reach and Juve coach Max Allegri is reportedly impressed with what he has seen of the defender so far.
Gazzetta suggest that at Juve’s Continassa training ground, the ‘name of Pau Torres begins to turn with certain frequency’, and Allegri has expressed a positive opinion with conviction on the player.
Juve have already put themselves ‘on the trail’ of Torres and while negotiations with Villarreal have not yet started, they could progress quickly.
