Aston Villa have been given the price they will need to pay in order to land Unai Emery’s top target…

What’s the latest?

As per 90min, Villarreal are reportedly braced to lose their star man Pau Torres.

The Spanish club are noted as willing to sell, and despite seeming unlikely to demand his full release clause of £55m, will want upwards of £40m.

This news will prick the ears of Johan Lange, who will have to battle with a whole host of top clubs to attain him. The report namedrops Tottenham, Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan all as interested parties.

Perhaps the connection the manager holds with him could give the Villans a boost in the chase for Torres.

A huge statement of intent

Under Steven Gerrard, it was widely believed that his summer acquisition of Diego Carlos would be the big turning point in his tenure.

Having spent £26m on the Brazilian, to see him struck down inside two games was arguably the catalyst for the 42-year-old’s downfall.

Now, the new manager could make a similar move by bringing in his own defensive reinforcements to revolutionise the clear weak spot in the team.

The £125k-per-week centre-back is a fine defender and has been for some time for the Yellow Submarine. He has an instrumental part of a defence that last season conceded just 37 goals in 38 La Liga games.

However, it is his ability with the ball at his feet that makes him such a sought-after commodity in world football.

He ranks in the top 5% of defenders in Europe's top five leagues for dribbles competed, and the top 13% for progressive passes. There are few defenders in the game that boast such impressive statistics, that are integral to the way the modern game is often played.

His inclusion in Spain’s World Cup squad is a further testament to his importance to not only his club side but the national team too.

Luis Enrique, who will lead his country to Qatar this winter, has been full of praise for the 25-year-old: “I like everything about Pau, I like players who have the ball out. I like his tactical sense, he's tall, handsome, a good boy.”

With his talents now renowned across Europe, there was expected to be a host of competition for his signature.

Thus, should Villa be the club to land him, it would mark a huge statement of intent from Emery and boost his already impressive start to life in the Midlands.