Barcelona Monitor Pau Torres Amid Inconsistency in the Backline

Pau Torres jadi incaran prioritas Barcelona (Instagram/@pauttorres).

Barcelona are monitoring Aston Villa defender Pau Torres after making the signing of a left-sided centre-back a priority for next summer.

The departure of Inigo Martinez to the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr earlier this year left coach Hansi Flick without a key figure from last season's backline.

According to ESPN reports, Barcelona currently has Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, and Andreas Christensen as options to play in the defensive midfield, but Flick has struggled to find a consistent duo this season.

In recent weeks, with Araujo currently resting due to mental health issues and Garcia playing in the midfield, the German coach has even used left-back Gerard Martin as a central defender.

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The reason Flick uses Martin in that position is the benefit he gives the team when in possession of the ball when they can build attacks from behind with a left-footed player.

As such, Barcelona are on the lookout for a long-term partner for Cubarsi, who has been their most used centre-back this season.

No wonder Torres is a player who is always on the club's radar because of his ability to control the ball and air duels.

The LaLiga leaders had previously considered signing the Spain international when he was at Villarreal, but he eventually joined Aston Villa in 2023 in a deal worth around 40 million euros.

Barcelona are aware that it will not be easy to negotiate with Aston Villa given that he is a key player in Unai Emery's team.

Torres, whose contract runs until 2028, would consider an offer to return to Spain if the Catalan club were serious about signing him.

However, Torres is not the only option that Barcelona are considering in their bid to strengthen a defence that has conceded 31 goals in 23 games in all competitions this season.

The Blaugrana are also considering Nico Schlotterbeck. Barcelona also have a positive report on Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund, who have been monitoring him since his emergence at SC Freiburg.

The Germany international has a contract until 2027 with Dortmund so could leave for a reduced fee next summer if he does not renew, with several other European heavyweights also monitoring his situation.

Every step Barcelona take will once again be conditioned by their financial situation as they attempt to comply with LaLiga's Financial Fair Play regulations.

They could potentially free up space for new signings next summer with the departures of several high-paid players, such as Christensen and Robert Lewandowski who will be out of contract at the end of the season.

There has been no final decision made regarding the future of Christensen or Lewandowski after the end of this season. However, if the Danish defender leaves, it will only increase Barcelona's need to invest in a new central defender.