Barcelona’s long-standing plan to strengthen their defence with a left-footed centre-back has taken a familiar turn, with reports indicating renewed interest in Aston Villa defender Pau Torres.
The Catalan club has been monitoring several defensive options in recent months, compiling scouting assessments and financial details as they look to address a clear imbalance at the back. Injuries and departures have forced Barcelona to improvise this season, including the use of left-back Gerard Martín in central defence following the summer exit of Iñigo Martínez.
While names such as Nico Schlotterbeck and Marc Guéhi have previously been linked to the Blaugrana, a new-old candidate has now emerged. According to ESPN, Barcelona have revived their pursuit of Pau Torres, a player they tracked closely during his years at Villarreal before his move to the Premier League.
The 28-year-old Spain international is currently contracted to Aston Villa until 2028, having joined the English club in the summer of 2023 for around €33 million. Since arriving, Torres has been a key figure under manager Unai Emery, although his second season was briefly disrupted by a metatarsal injury.
Despite uncertainty over Aston Villa’s willingness to negotiate or the potential cost of a deal, Torres is said to be open to the idea of a move to Barcelona. The defender would reportedly consider an offer from the Catalan giants and is receptive to a return to Spanish football should talks materialise.
Comfortable in possession and strong in build-up play, Torres fits the profile of a modern Barcelona centre-back, reminiscent of the technical mould established during the era of Gerard Piqué. However, he is viewed more as a ball-playing defender than a commanding organiser, with Barcelona still believed to be seeking a vocal leader to partner young Pau Cubarsí at the heart of their defence.
As Barcelona continue to evaluate their options, Torres’ name adds another intriguing dimension to their ongoing defensive rebuild.
