---
title: "Tottenham: Journalist makes Torres swap deal claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/spurs-transfer-rumours-villarreal-torres-lo-celso-swap-deal-thfc-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Tottenham Hotspur News"
published: "2022-05-11T11:11:27Z"
modified: "2022-05-11T11:11:27Z"
---

# Tottenham: Journalist makes Torres swap deal claim

**Cadena SER journalist Xavi Jorquera Márquez has now shared an interesting [Tottenham Hotspur](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/) transfer update involving Villarreal defender Pau Torres.**

### The Lowdown: Spurs confident?

The [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) top-four chasers have allegedly ramped up their serious interest in Unai Emery’s mainstay centre-half recently as he allegedly [sets his sights on leaving](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10782881/Tottenham-given-encouragement-strike-Pau-Torres-deal-Villarreal.html) the Estadio de la Cerámica.

[Tottenham newest updates…](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-newest-updates/)

As reported by [The Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10782881/Tottenham-given-encouragement-strike-Pau-Torres-deal-Villarreal.html) recently, transfer chief Fabio Paratici is firmly in the mix for Torres and there is belief that the north Londoners have been ‘given encouragement’ they can ‘strike a deal’ this summer.

The Spain international has apparently [been on their wanted list for two years](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10782881/Tottenham-given-encouragement-strike-Pau-Torres-deal-Villarreal.html) with manager Antonio Conte also [eager to sign a central defender](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/04/20/antonio-conte-targets-six-summer-signings-spurs-face-homegrown/) when the transfer window opens for business.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”383375″\]

### The Latest: Marquez makes swap deal claim…

Now, according to what Marquez has learned, a swap deal to sign Torres could be on the cards amid Villarreal’s interest in making midfielder Giovani Lo Celso’s loan a permanent one.

Speaking to South American outlet ‘[All about Argentina’](https://twitter.com/AlbicelesteTalk/status/1523648884828172288), the reporter claims Paratici and Spurs could offer the Argentine plus cash to seal a deal for their defensive target.

\[freshpress-poll id=”391334″\]

### The Verdict: Go ahead?

Lo Celso has been in sublime form since joining the La Liga side, even hailed as a ‘[giant](https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-internacional/europa-league/villarreal-vs-bayern-munich-uel_0_w9r91VI7tz.html)‘ by Spanish media, and his performances in the Champions League have really highlighted his quality.

As per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/839/Show/Spain-Villarreal), over his six European starts before the end of Villarreal’s run, Spurs’ loanee ace averaged the second-most key passes and completed take-ons per 90 whilst also attracting the highest number of fouls – proving a real nightmare to play against.

Goalkeeper and compatriot Geronimo Rulli called Lo Celso a [‘top player in the world’](https://www.superdeporte.es/villarreal-cf/2022/02/09/rulli-gran-partido-real-madrid-62503019.html) just after he signed for them in January and it appears the shot-stopper’s verdict has been vindicated judging by recent displays.

However, with Conte allegedly desperate for a world class defender, we believe letting Lo Celso leave permanently in a swap for Torres could be the way forward given he just [hasn’t turned it on consistently enough](https://www.footballinsider247.com/tottenham-insider-claims-utter-passenger-lo-celso-has-everything-to-prove/) back in England.

A [mainstay](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/839/Show/Spain-Villarreal) and crucial player under Emery, Torres’ number of [successful aerial duels and clearances per 90](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/839/Show/Spain-Villarreal) domestically eclipse most in the Villarreal squad and back why Spurs are so keen to sign him.

Lauded as a[‘sensational’](https://theathletic.com/2331735/2021/01/22/pau-torres-the-villarreal-centre-back-europes-top-clubs-are-all-chasing/) defender, any way to whittle down the player’s asking price should definitely be considered as the club aim to back Conte.

***In other news: Fabrizio Romano: Conte could now lose ‘monster’ Spurs player who’s ‘expected to leave’! Find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/spurs-transfer-rumours-conte-romano-bergwijn-ajax-thfc-latest/)***