Pau Torres has confirmed that he was indeed a candidate to join Real Madrid a few years ago, with some interest from Barcelona. The defender is now fully focused on Aston Villa and wants to continue working with Unai Emery.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League match against Barcelona, the 29-year-old Spaniard discussed past transfer options with Sport.
When asked if he was close to joining Real Madrid in 2021, Torres replied:
Yes. Ultimately, when you are among two or three candidates for a club like Real Madrid, it is always very positive.
I also understand why they opted for a free agent at the end of the transfer window – that was David Alaba.
Regarding Barcelona's interest, the defender was more reserved:
There were some rumours and discussions, but my agents and I have always maintained one position.
If the situation is not at a very advanced stage, I do not want to hear about it at all.
Torres ultimately stayed at Villarreal and joined Aston Villa in 2023, where he resumed working with Emery.
Under the Spanish manager, he made 105 appearances for Villarreal and won the Europa League in the 2020/21 season.
The defender believes Emery's successes are deserved:
His success is not a coincidence. He works incredibly hard.
You could say he lives at the training ground. He is one of the first to arrive and always the last to leave.
He is obsessed with his work and football, and he tries to pass this passion on to us.
Both he and his staff prepare for matches down to the finest detail.
Torres' contract with Aston Villa runs until 2028.
During his time at Villarreal, Emery had mentioned that with such potential, the defender could play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, but now Torres does not view that as a benchmark.
When he left for Aston Villa, he was very honest with me and said: 'Come here with me, we have a really good project.'
I have been working with him for a long time, and I hope we will have many more successes ahead, just like before.
After winning the Europa League, Torres wants to achieve more:
Sometimes I tell Unai that we already have two Europa League trophies and now we need to try for the main one – the Champions League.
That is very difficult, and we understand that we are definitely not the favourites.
But if we show our best, we can compete with anyone.
Aston Villa are currently second in the Champions League group stage with nine points, only behind PSG.
