Real Madrid 'want to sign Pau Torres next summer'

Real Madrid are reportedly determined to win the race for Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres during next summer's transfer window.

The 24-year-old was strongly linked with a move away from the Yellow Submarine over the recent window, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both credited with an interest.

Torres recently said that he rejected the chance to leave Villarreal over the summer, as he wanted to spend at least one more year with his local team.

Unai Emery's side are unlikely to be able to keep hold of the Spain international on a long-term basis, though, and according to Marca, Real Madrid view him as the ideal replacement for Sergio Ramos.

Torres, who is believed to have a €50m (£43m) release clause in his current deal, has made seven appearances at club level at the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

David Alaba arrived at the Bernabeu over the summer on a free transfer, but Ramos was allowed to leave following the expiration of his deal, while Raphael Varane was sold to Manchester United.