Aston Villa are plotting a move to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres in January, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Shopping at Villarreal

NSWE are expected to financially back Unai Emery in what will be his first transfer window in charge, where he’ll be given the opportunity to bring in some of his own players.

The Spaniard is reportedly targeting Samuel Chukwueze and Nicolas Jackson from his former club having already made an enquiry for the latter, and it sounds like the raid is about to continue with a third player potentially on his way to the Premier League.

The Latest: Villa eyeing Torres

According to Football Insider, Emery is looking to ‘lure’ Torres to the Midlands in the New Year, with the boss personally ‘keen’ on the 25-year-old.

He wants to bring in another centre-back and has identified the 6 foot 2 star as his ideal candidate, with the club set to be ‘one of the busier’ top-flight teams in the winter market.

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The Verdict: Potential bargain?

Torres has been described as a ‘dream’ signing for a Premier League club by Manchester United reporter Ryan Haber and Villa should use his existing connection to Emery to their advantage in the race for his signature.

The Villarreal colossus has netted 11 goals during his time in La Liga and currently averages four clearances per game, showing a big impact in both boxes.

Torres has also now entered the final 18 months of his contract, meaning that he could be available on a cut-price deal, something that the club should capitalise on.