According to Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham, the club should not attempt to sign 'world class' Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres this summer if it means that Eric Dier or Cristian Romero have to drop to the bench.
The Lowdown: Torres available for transfer
The 25-year-old has recently been linked with a move away from the Spanish giants, despite still having two years remaining on his current contract, with Football Insider revealing just last month that Antonio Conte’s outfit are believed to be keeping tabs on the defender ahead of the start of next season.
In a new update, a recruitment source is since claimed to have told the same site that Villarreal are now expecting to cash in on Torres as a result of the club’s immediate need to raise cash, which has increased Spurs’ confidence that they can get a deal in the region of £45m over the line.
[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-newest-updates/" title="Tottenham newest updates…" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]
The Latest: A world-class signing
Wenham, who regularly breaks fresh Spurs news, admitted that he would be happy for the 17-cap international to arrive in north London, as long as it would be for a ‘smaller’ fee.
In reaction to the plummeting price tag, he told Football Insider: “I don’t see the need to get this deal done as soon as the window opens.
“I think the priority for the club is a left-sided centre-back. That being said, a world-class signing will always be welcomed.
“It’s just, all of a sudden, Dier and Romero are looking really good and I don’t think we need to improve there.
“One of them would have to drop to the bench if Torres came in and I don’t really want that.
“A smaller fee would make a deal more likely, of course, and we have been linked with him for a long time now.
“I wouldn’t say no to him, put it that way. I just think the money needs to be spent elsewhere.”
The Verdict: Get it done
Despite a right-footed centre-back not being Conte’s top priority this summer, Spurs should still definitely make a move for Torres whilst he’s available at a discounted fee.
The £63k-per-week ace has been an absolute colossus in defence under Unai Emery this term, where he’s currently averaging 3.1 clearances and is winning 1.9 of his aerial duels per La Liga game, via WhoScored, showing just how much experience and knowhow he can add to a backline.
Whilst the 6 foot 2 talisman’s possible arrival could mean that certain members of the Italian’s squad would have to miss out on the starting XI, but this is a great way to provide some serious competition for places heading into next season and force others to step up their games even further.