Pau Torres hands cryptic transfer blow to Man Utd: ‘I only see myself in yellow’

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 27 May 2021 14:10 BST
• 3 min read

Pau Torres has suggested he could stay beyond Villarreal this summer by saying he only sees himself in the kit of the Yellow Submarine at the moment.

The Spaniard is currently one of the most sought after young central defenders in Europe after his exploits for Villarreal over the past couple of seasons.

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With Sergio Ramos not called up for the Euros, he is set to play a starring role at the back for Spain in the upcoming championships, in which the transfer spotlight will be shining on his shoulders.

Man Utd are one of the clubs credited with an interest in Torres and see him as an ideal partner for Harry Maguire, but they may have to turn their attention to other targets judging by the player’s latest words.

“For now I only think as a player dressed in yellow, I see my life linked to this club,” he said on the Pure Football podcast.

“For now I have a contract here [until June 2024] and I do not see beyond this final or what may come this summer.

“God willing I can be in the Euros. I only want the first title for my club, for my people, and then to represent Spain in a tournament as big as this.”

Man Utd v Villarreal

Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have the opportunity to scout Torres first hand this Wednesday when the Red Devils take on Villarreal in the Europa League final.

While the Premier League side have already qualified for the Champions League, a success in the final would present Solskjaer with his first silverware at the helm.

Torres is more focused on the huge game than his future at the moment, particularly due to the quality he will be up against in the Man Utd attack.

“When I hear the names of important strikers, what I want to do is to face them. The same thing happened to me in my first games against Real Madrid, Barcelona… I knew that I would face very good players and the only thing I have in mind is that I will face very important players and that way know where my level is.

Manchester United have world-class players in all positions. It will be a test to measure just where Villarreal is at this moment, to see if it is prepared to achieve great things.

“I am one of those who thinks that the final is here, that we have to prepare for it very well because we are playing against the number 1 candidate to win the title, and that we also have time to prepare well for the final.”

Torres allegedly has a £50 million release clause which would need to be triggered for Villarreal to let him leave.