Unai Emery’s incredible 55-word message for Pau Torres ahead of Aston Villa transfer

Unai Emery has already given his verdict on Pau Torres ahead of the defender completing his summer transfer to Aston Villa.

With personal terms accepted and a £30 million fee – which could rise to £34.3 million with add-ons – agreed with Villarreal, Torres’ move is now very close to being sealed.

Villa fought off Bayern Munich to secure the 26-year-old, who is scheduled to arrive in England at the start of next week to complete a medical and sign the paperwork.

Emery was vital in convincing Torres of the project being built at Villa Park as the centre back was originally demanding Champions League football from his next club.

As is the nature of speaking with a man so obsessed with the beautiful game, though, Torres couldn’t resist and Emery’s prior relationship with the player also helped things.

“Pau is an amazing player, I think he’s top. I’ve been a coach in Sevilla, PSG, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre back like Torres,” Emery said as Villarreal boss in January 2021.

“I think he’s going to play at the highest level, he’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in Europe very soon,” Emery continued.

Now, two-and-a-half years on, the head coach may have accidentally manifested exactly that, as Torres will be competing in the Europa Conference League with the Villans.

Expected to come in and provide healthy competition for the likes of Tyrone Mings, Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa, it won’t be long until Torres can prove Emery right.