Overview
- ESPN reports Barcelona have prioritized signing a left-footed centre-back for next summer and are tracking Aston Villa’s Pau Torres.
- Sources cited by ESPN indicate Torres would listen to an approach to return to Spain if Barcelona make a serious move.
- Aston Villa are viewed as unlikely to entertain a sale in January or the summer without an exceptionally large offer given Torres’ importance to Unai Emery.
- Torres joined Villa from Villarreal in 2023 for a fee reported around €33–40m, has been a regular starter when fit, and is contracted until 2028.
- Barcelona’s search includes alternatives such as Nico Schlotterbeck as Hansi Flick copes with defensive improvisation, including using left back Gerard Martín centrally.