'Burst onto the agenda' - Real Madrid eye shock summer swoop for £31.5m Aston Villa star

Aston Villa defender Pau Torres is reportedly the subject of interest from Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.

Los Blancos are looking to move on from the disappointment of their Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal by considering their transfer business for next season. There’s still a La Liga title to try and clinch away from bitter rivals Barcelona, with four points currently the gap to close, but one eye is now being fixated on 2025/26.

It’s unclear whether manager Carlo Ancelotti will remain in charge of Madrid beyond this summer, with former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp being linked with the post, but transfers are bound to be attempted regardless. One area Los Blancos are reportedly seeking to improve is centre-back, as the position is quickly ageing.

Antonio Rudiger has just turned 32, David Alaba celebrates his 33rd birthday in June and Eder Militao, 27, has struggled with several injury setbacks over the past couple of seasons. Raul Asencio, a 22-year-old prospect, has stepped up brilliantly this campaign but Madrid can’t afford to rely on him for the long term as the squad depth isn’t sufficient.

Reports in Spain have surfaced this week, via Caught Offside, that Madrid have been monitoring Pau’s progress at Villa Park and have added the 28-year-old to their shortlist. Los Blancos are said to appreciate Pau’s tactical perception of the game, his composure on the ball and his leadership skills – three traits arguably every Madrid player must possess.

It’s stated that Real want a player who can provide short and medium-term guarantees and believe Pau is a “safe bet” as he knows La Liga, has international experience and would likely take very little time to adapt. Pau being best suited to playing as a left centre-half is helpful, too, as Madrid are short of left-footers at the back.

Would Aston Villa let Pau Torres leave?

Signed from Villarreal in 2023 for around £31.5 million, Pau was brought in to become a cornerstone of Emery’s project in B6. The head coach had worked with Pau before from their time together with the Yellow Submarine and believed his attributes perfectly suited the structure he was trying to create.

Emery likes to push his left-back further forward to cross into the box and then utilises his left centre-half to move across and provide cover. The right-back and right centre-half then tuck in to form a three when Villa are attacking. You could argue any decent left-footed centre-half could perform that role, but it’s Pau’s superb technical ability and eye for a forward pass that make him stand out.

As a result, it’s very unlikely Villa will let Pau leave unless Madrid stump up a bid simply too good to turn down. The Villans are still walking a fine line with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and may have to sell one or two key players this summer if they are to make new signings.

Pau would probably be one of the last players Emery would want to sacrifice but, once again, it all depends on just how much Madrid would be willing to pay for the defender’s services. As Pau’s contract runs until June 2028, Villa are under very little pressure to sell.