Tottenham Hotspur have been given a boost in their hopes of signing Villarreal defender Pau Torres, following claims made by journalist Dean Jones.

What's the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the respected transfer insider hinted that the Spaniard is a close to a departure from the La Liga club, with Spurs needing to take advantage of that by pushing for a deal this summer.

Amid rumours about the 25-year-old potentially making the move to the Premier League, Jones said of the player's situation: “Pau Torres is good value at £45 million, to be honest. It’s really hard to find centre-backs that have been tested at European level and are available.

“I believe that Torres will now become available, he’s been mooted for a transfer for so long that it seems imminent. So, I think Tottenham should push for him and look to get that perfect partner for Romero.”

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This follows reports that claimed that the Lillywhites could secure a deal for £10m less than the 17-cap international's reported £55m release clause, although transfer guru Fabrizio Romano recently suggested that the clause could be closer to €60m (£50.9m).

Supporters will buzzing

That revelation will no doubt get Tottenham supporters excited, with the £63k-per-week gem seemingly the answer to their defensive prayers as the club are believed to be eyeing a new left-sided centre-back as a summer priority.

At present, the only comfortable option in that role is Ben Davies, and despite his impressive form of late it would seem that a top-class upgrade is needed, should serial-winning coach Antonio Conte wish to challenge for major honours next term.

Torres, who has been dubbed "sublime", could be that much-needed upgrade, with the one-time Malaga loanee having emerged as one of Europe's leading centre-backs over the past few seasons.

After helping Unai Emery's side clinch the Europa League title last year against Manchester United - a club with whom he has also been linked - the local lad has kicked on again this season, playing a pivotal role in the Yellow Submarine's remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals.

In his 12 outings in Europe's premier competition this term, the 6 foot 3 colossus has averaged 1.3 tackles and an outstanding 5.2 clearances per game, while also proving himself to be near-immaculate in possession, recording an 88% pass accuracy rate.

Domestically it has been a similar story, as he has won 67% of his total duels and kept 10 clean sheets. He also scores highly for his ball-playing attributes, ranking in the top 10% for progressive carries and progressive passes among centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues, and in the top 1% for dribbles completed.

Possessing that ability to bring the ball out from the back with ease is vital in Conte's back-three system, with Torres the ideal fit to improve the club's defensive ranks.

In other news, Conte demands Spurs to sign £25m-rated "revelation", he's miles better than Emerson