Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd happy to serve up makeweight pair to land Pau Torres, with imminent signing making one expendable

Alex Telles playing for Manchester United

Man Utd are willing to offer an out of favour pair as makeweights to sign Pau Torres, with Alex Telles in particular looking like his race is run.

The Red Devils are yet to land their first signing of the Erik ten Hag era. However, that could all change as early as today if confirmation comes of their Tyrell Malacia coup.

The 22-year-old is poised to arrive from Feyenoord in a deal worth an initial £13m. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted the second part of his medical will be conducted today (Monday). An official announcement is expected to follow.

Malacia would add a new dimension at left-back, while Ten Hag is still pushing for an addition at centre-half.

Lisandro Martinez remains their primary focus at present. The Athletic reported Manchester United have bid £34.5m prior to add-ons, though Ajax are holding out for £43m.

The fact Arsenal are also in the race suggests the Dutch side will get their wish. If United and the Gunners both match the valuation, Ajax will let the player decide.

That is something that is expected to fall in United’s favour given the Ten Hag connection. However, the Mirror now report a move for Pau Torres could be an option instead of – or as well as – signing Martinez.

Two makeweights could help Pau Torres approach

United have chased the Villarreal defender for some time. He is valued around the £45m mark and the newspaper state Alex Telles and Eric Bailly could be used to sweeten the deal.

Telles’ future looks increasingly uncertain with Malacia set to arrive in his position. Luke Shaw also remains on the books at left-back.

Bailly, meanwhile, would also become surplus to requirements in a Torres deal given the Spaniard would be a like-for-like upgrade.

Pau Torres, Villarreal defender, during Champions League round-of-16 tie against Juventus

Both Bailly and Telles were named by Goal in a seven-strong list of stars facing the axe this summer. Two stars, however, may get get a reprieve.

The Mirror describe United as ‘happy’ to include Bailly or Telles as bait to sign Torres. Though it is acknowledged Lisandro Martinez is atop the shortlist at present.

Telles bust-up the catalyst behind exit?

Another factor behind United’s willingness to sever ties with Telles reportedly stems from a training ground bust-up.

Telles is claimed to have clashed with fiery youngster Hannibal Mejbri during training back in May. The pair had to be pulled apart following a tough challenge from Mejbri, with Ralf Rangnick forced to abandon the session as a result.

The Mirror suggest that incident could be a factor in United’s openness to moving Telles on.

Given his performances on the pitch haven’t set the world alight either, it doesn’t appear the veteran Brazilian will be a big miss.