Chelsea FC have declared interest in highly-rated defender Pau Torres, who plays for La Liga side Villarreal. Torres has also courted interest from both Spanish giants FC Barcelona as well as Real Madrid. The 23-year old defender has emerged as a major target for sides wishing to sign a new center-back.
Frank Lampard has himself been stressing upon the shoddy defensive play seen in recent Chelsea FC games. The Blues coach has been linked with making moves for RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, who was also a target for Arsenal FC.
West Ham United FC’s Declan Rice is also a major transfer target for Chelsea FC boss Frank Lampard. Reports suggest that Lampard wants to play Rice, technically a midfielder, as a center-back for the Blues next season. However, the Hammers have resisted Chelsea FC’s approach to sign their star player in recent weeks.
Reports coming from Spain indicate that the Blues are in pole position to land the signing of the Villarreal defender. With ample money on his hand to finance his spending spree, Lampard is willing to table a bid of £45million to trigger Torres’s release clause with the Spanish club.
The 23-year old Spanish defender has been impressive in the current campaign for his team. Villarreal are chasing a Champions League berth for the 2020-21 season and look well set to achieve their target.
Villarreal currently sit fifth in the La Liga table, three points adrift of a top-four finish. Torres has been an influential presence for the side and has made 31 appearances throughout the campaign.
The 23-year old was given his first cap by the Spanish national team in a game against Malta back in November of last year. Within a minute of coming on as a substitute for Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, Torres scored his first goal for Spain.
The player’s current deal with Villarreal runs until 2024. However, with the release clause worth £45million present in his contract, Chelsea FC would be keen on signing Torres ahead of next season’s start.
