Pau Torres ‘tempted’ to quit Aston Villa after Barcelona swoop
Pau Torres may not be able to resist the urge to join Barcelona in what could be a huge blow for Unai Emery and Aston Villa.
That is according to ex-Aston Villa, Everton, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider amid Barcelona’s interest in Torres.
The 28-year-old, has started 10 of Aston Villa‘s 18 Premier League matches this season, with Emery’s side third in the table.
Aston Villa’s 2-1 win at Chelsea made it eight successive Premier League wins for the club, with just a three-point gap between them and league leaders Arsenal.
Pau Torres ‘a key part of Unai Emery’s vision’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Aston Villa will not want to sell Torres.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks qualification for the Champions League could tempt the Spaniard to stay at the club.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, I don’t think Villa would want to sell him. I think he’s been quite impressive for them from what I’ve seen of him certainly this year. But you know, that attraction of going to Barcelona for a Spanish player is pretty magnetic.
“And I’m sure he and his agent will be very tempted if that’s the case. And if Barcelona can put together a deal that can actually get paid and get approved, which we know has been their problem. But yes, I think it’s going to be a player situation to make that decision. But Unai Emery, of course, will be in his ear.
“I think he’s a key part of Unai Emery’s vision and the way he plays as well, the way he likes to pick a pass as much as anything else. He’s a very talented player. So Villa would not want to be selling him. But as I say, that pull for Real Madrid and Barcelona is big there. Emery will understand, but I’m sure he’ll be working hard to keep him there at Villa, because Villa are also on a great run as we know right now and Emery will be doing all he can, and that will also enter Pau Torres’ head.
“We could be looking at the Champions League again for Villa, so that’s interesting how it’s going to play out. It’s going to be a tug of war, but as I say, that Spanish pull is pretty big to overcome with players like Pau Torres.”
Aston Villa sign future star
Emery will be looking to strengthen his squad in the January window, with the club firmly in the title race.
Aston Villa have already signed Alysson for £10million from Brazilian club Gremio, with the 19-year-old set to be a player for the future.
PSR issues mean Aston Villa may have to sell before they can add to their squad, with Harvey Elliott’s loan spell set to be terminated.