Fernando Roig, the president of Villarreal, has opened the door for Manchester United to sign Pau Torres this summer, but they must stump up the cash in order to do so.
As well as a right-winger and defensive-midfielder, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping to add a new centre-back to the club ahead of what is set to be a busy transfer window.
The need for a new partner for captain Harry Maguire was made even clearer on Wednesday as United once again conceded from a set-piece as they went on to lose the Europa League final to the La Liga side.
While United have held exploratory talks with Raphael Varane's representatives, Torres is also on the club's short-list.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United viewed the final as Torres' last 'audition' before deciding on their top target, and the 24-year-old must have passed with flying colours as he put in an excellent display to keep United mostly at bay.
In the wake of the club's first major trophy triumph, Villarreal president Roig says he will not stand in Torres' way should a suitable offer be made and the defender wants to leave.
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"If they arrive with the money and the player wants to move but there must be an agreement between all three parties,” Roig told El Transistor , when asked about the interest of United's neighbours Manchester City.
It's understood that City did monitor Torres last summer in their own search for a new centre-back, but after signing Ruben Dias no longer hold any interest in signing him.
Ahead of the final, Torres broke his silence on where his future may lie and played down speculation that he could join United this summer.
He told the Pure Football podcast : "For now I only think as a player dressed in yellow, I see my life linked to this club. For now I have a contract here [until June 2024] and I do not see beyond this final or what may come this summer.
"God willing I can be in the Euros. I only want the first title for my club, for my people, and then to represent Spain in a tournament as big as this."
