Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has, according to reports, approved a move for Villarreal star Pau Torres. The centre-back was on the club’s radar 12 months ago, back when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was manager. But the Red Devils ended up settling for the addition of Raphael Varane instead.
It was reported on Wednesday that Ten Hag had approved a deal for Torres, at a time where United could lose as many as three central defenders.
Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are primed to leave, with the duo both enduring injury-hit spells at Old Trafford, while the club are also open to offloading Axel Tuanzebe as well.
Torres has a £55million release clause in his contract but United, apparently, are hoping to seal a deal for in the region of £45m instead.
While that may be possible, and the player’s clause could be negotiable, it still suggests United are being stingy.
Not for the first time, either.
The club have been firm not to overspend on players in recent years, particularly after the failed stints of Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di Maria.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has approved a transfer deal for Pau Torres (Image: GETTY)
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Solskjaer made it clear he felt United needed more in the middle of the park in order to challenge the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title.
But the board, having already snapped up Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho, instead told the Norwegian to work with what he’s got.
United were also stingy in January, too.
After Anthony Martial moved to Sevilla on loan and Mason Greenwood was arrested, Ralf Rangnick called on the club to take action.
“We lost three strikers, long-term,” the German said recently.
“We should have tried to sign a player in the 48 hours we had, since we knew Mason wouldn’t be available and Anthony had already left on loan.
“We were also aware Edinson might not be available for eight out of 10 games, but we didn’t do it.
“There were a few. Diaz, who is now at Liverpool, Alvarez, who will be at Manchester City in the summer, and Vlahovic, who at the time was still with Fiorentina.
“The answer was 'no' and that was it. I spoke to the board and told them 'shouldn’t we at least speak and analyse and find if we can at least get a player, on loan or a permanent deal'.
“In the end the answer was 'no'. Maybe they didn’t want to do any winter business.”