Manchester City will be in the market for another centre-half next summer, according to the Guardian‘s Fabrizio Romano. Despite shelling out £61m on Ruben Dias, the Citizens are also said to be keeping tabs on Villarreal’s Pau Torres.

Manchester United have been linked with the 23-year-old in recent months, while Arsenal were also credited with an interest earlier this year. Speaking on his ‘Here We Go’ podcast, Romano said Torres’s release clause makes him an attractive option:

“We have a new name that Manchester City are considering and are following, [so] we can add this name [to] the list for Manchester City. The name is Pau Torres from Villarreal. He’s 23, he’s a good centre-back, a good young talent, he has good quality and this is perfect for [the] Guardiola style of football.”

“He’s so appreciated by Guardiola himself, because Pep is looking at Spanish football always and he knows he’s one of the most talented centre-backs in Spanish football. He has a release clause, [which] is around €50 million (£45 million). [However, in] the last 10 days of the transfer window, the clause rises up to €65 million (£59 million).”

To be honest with you, it would be a big surprise if City do go after Torres. The Spaniard is left-footed, and the Manchester club already have Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake who are left-sided centre-backs.

Laporte’s poor injury record would probably be the only likely explanation for City to be interested in Torres. The Frenchman has struggled for fitness over the past couple of years and it may be the case that the club are considering possible alternatives.