Aston Villa announce the £33m signing of Pau Torres from Villarreal

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of £33million Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres – who becomes the club’s second buy of the window.

Villa emerged as frontrunners to land the highly-rated Spanish defender, who has been tracked by a number of top sides over the years, with the 26-year-old now opting to join the Midlands outfit.

He follows Youri Tielemans in joining Unai Emery’s men this summer, after the former Leicester City star arrived on a free transfer.

Villa had teased the long-awaited signing by posting a video of a player wearing the club’s new kit with the caption: ‘Good things come to those who wait.’ 

The club then posted the official reveal ushering in his arrival, saying: ‘Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Spanish international Pau Torres from Villarreal! 

Aston Villa have clinched the £33m signing of Villarreal and Spain defender Pau Torres

Villa beat off competition from a number of top sides to secure the Spanish international 

‘The defender arrives at Villa for an undisclosed fee. Welcome, Pau!’

A photo later emerged of the player beaming alongside his new manager Unai Emery holding up a Villa home kit. 

In Torres, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Diego Carlos, Villa now have strong options at centre-back, though Konsa has also operated at right-back.

This is unlikely to be the end of Villa’s activity, with the club targeting a wide forward as well as another midfielder and a striker.

Both Brennan Johnson and Harvey Barnes are on the radar though Forest will let Johnson go only if they receive about £50million. 

Torres is Villa’s second signing of the summer after securing ex-Leicester star Youri Tielemans

After the shake-up behind the scenes that saw chief executive Christian Purslow depart and left Emery in control of football matters, the Spaniard is continuing to assess his squad, with Leander Dendoncker and Philippe Coutinho among those who could leave before the window closes. 

It also remains to be seen whether Lucas Digne, a Steven Gerrard signing like Coutinho, is happy to play second fiddle to Alex Moreno at left-back, though Villa’s involvement in the Europa Conference League means they will play more games this season than last.

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