Villarreal manager Unai Emery claims Arsenal transfer target Pau Torres is destined to play for one of the biggest sides in Europe.
The London club were linked with a move for the Villarreal central defender a year ago but they have since signed Pablo Mari and Gabriel Magalhaes.
It is believed that Mikel Arteta remains Interested in signing a defensive partner for Gabriel and Torres remains on the gunners’ shortlist.
But, Arsenal face a lot of competition as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man United and Manchester City have all been linked with a transfer move for the centre-back.
And Emery, who currently manages Torres at Villarreal, claims the player possesses unique qualities which he has not seen in any other defender at the clubs he’s managed.
‘Pau Torres is an amazing player – I think he’s top,’ Emery told Football.London. ‘I’ve been a coach in Sevilla, PSG, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre-back like Pau Torres.
‘I think he’s going to play at the highest level, he’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in the Europe very soon.’
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While speaking last year, former Arsenal player Santi Cazorla confirmed that the Gunners had consulted him about Torres.
‘They ask me about them and think they can make the jump to the Premier League tomorrow. ‘It’s good that great teams are interested in young players from Villarreal, but for the moment I tell them to leave them alone here.
‘They still have to take steps forward. They both have a great personality, and their feet are on the ground.
‘In Pau’s [Torres] case he hears constant talk of City or Barcelona, but he is aware that he has to keep growing as a player and that in the future we will see where he can go.’
