Pau Torres explains Tottenham transfer snub in the summer
Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres has given the reason why he rejected a summer transfer move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The 16-capped Spain international was heavily linked with a move away from the Estadio de la Ceramica after helping Unai Emery’s men win the Europa League at the backend of last season.
A host of Premier League clubs were heavily linked with his signature and it is believed Spurs offered €60m to Villarreal, on top of a wage package that is said to be four times what he currently earns at the Valencian club.
However, the 24-year-old was enticed by the chance to lead out his boyhood club for Champions League nights this season, a result of their Europa League success, and says Villarreal’s chairman didn’t put any pressure on him to leave, despite the lucrative offer on the table.
“The pull of playing the Champions League with the team from my town was bigger,” he told The Guardian. “I was clear from the start.
“This is only the fourth time Villarreal reached the Champions League, which shows how hard it is and it was a dream to play the competition with my lifelong club.
“The president didn’t put pressure on me, even though they could make a lot of money. He always said ‘the decision’s yours’, that he’d respect it. I appreciate that.
“What I could experience with the club was unrepeatable. I’m comfortable in my town, with my close people, and the group we have and the people we signed – [Arnaut] Danjuma, Boulaye [Dia], Gerard [Moreno] renewed. I’m enjoying it. It’s a special year, the group is very close, that’s why I stayed.”
18+, UK only. Deposit and place a minimum £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/1 or greater and we will give you 1 x £5 in free bets plus an extra 3 x £5 Free Bets the following day. Applies to first cash bet only. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets to use on 3x Any sport & 1x Virtuals. Cashed Out, Void or Draw No Bet wagers do not qualify for this promotion. 1 x £5 Free Bets are credited upon qualifying first bet settlement, other free bets credited by midday the day after your first bet settles. 7-day free bet expiry. Available once per customer. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Full T&C’s apply.
18+ only. Use code BET30. New Players Only. Minimum stake $/€/£ 10, minimum odds1.5, stake not returned.1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: $/€/£ 200. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply
18+ only. £10 min. deposit required. 1 x £10 qualifying bet required. Qualifying bet must be placed on selection with min. odds of 1.8 (4/5). 4 x £5 Free Bets will be credited once the qualifying bet has been settled. 1 x Free Bet valid for any Football Match Result market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Football Correct Score market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Horse Racing market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Tennis market. Free Bets valid for 7 days once credited. T&Cs apply.
On the potential of a future move to the Premier League, Torres added: “Well, I still have a contract with various years left [until 2024].
“I thought about what was best for me in the present. I really wanted to play this competition with Villarreal – you don’t know when that opportunity will come again.
“Let’s see how far we can go. We want to get out of the group, then it’s two-legged and that situation’s one we experienced last year in the Europa League and feel comfortable with.”
