Unai Emery advices Villarreal star to avoid Liverpool transfer | OneFootball

Villarreal manager Unai Emery has urged his defender Pau Torres to reject a move to the Premier League by claiming that he has to sign for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Emery, questioned about the speculation over Torres’ future, says that the centre-back has to sign for one of the Spanish giants if he leaves Villarreal at the end of the season.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all reportedly interested in the Spanish international centre-back, who has a release clause of £55m.

Speaking to Radio Marca, Unai Emery offered his thoughts on Torres’ future. “Pau Torres? Double (the pride), because he’s also from here. If he leaves here, he has to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona.”

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ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

This could be a gigantic blow to Liverpool’s hopes of being able to sign Torres in the summer transfer window as Emery could have an influence on the defender’s decision-making. Emery works with him day-to-day and has helped him develop this season, which means that he could have the chance to guide Torres in regards to his choice of clubs if he decides to leave Villarreal.

Unai Emery also has experience in the Premier League, having managed Arsenal, which means that Torres knows his manager can speak knowledgeably about both England and Spain. This means that Torres could put a lot of weight into what Emery says and if his boss believes that Real Madrid would be better for him than Liverpool, that could potentially put him off of signing for the Reds.

Torres has been a star for Villarreal this season. He has started 33 games across La Liga and the Europa League for the Spanish side, whilst also starting six UEFA Nations League matches for his country – averaging an impressive 6.89 WhoScored rating for Spain.