Manchester United have discussed the idea of signing Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres along with Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Torres profiled

Torres has progressed through Villarreal’s academy and has made 134 senior appearances for the La Liga side, 47 of which came during the 2021/22 campaign.

The Spain international, who was hailed as 'sensational' by his national team boss Luis Enrique, is at the peak of his powers, holding a career-high £45m Transfermarkt valuation. The 25-year-old is entering the final two years of his contract in the summer and holds a release clause in the region of €55m-€60m (£46.8m-£51m).

The Latest: United discussions

Romano took to Twitter on Monday lunchtime to share a transfer update from Old Trafford.

He said that, alongside Timber, Torres has also been ‘discussed internally’ by United chiefs and Erik ten Hag ahead of a possible move.

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The Verdict: Ten Hag’s priorities clear

Ten Hag is yet to add to his United squad since taking the reins, but it seems as if defensive reinforcements are top of his wish list, something which doesn’t exactly come as a major shock with the Red Devils conceding 57 times in 38 league games this season.

The Dutchman appears to pride himself on making his teams hard to beat at the back, with his Ajax side conceding just 19 goals in 34 league games in 2021/22. Therefore, potential swoops for Timber (who he knows well from Amsterdam) and Torres (who appears to be at the top of his game) could be wise first moves for the 52-year-old at Old Trafford.

In other news: Reliable journalist leaks Man Utd talks as Ten Hag now eyes 'terrific' Englishman