Manchester United will have to pay Pau Torres’s €65m (£56m) release clause in full if they want to snap up the Villarreal centre-back this summer, according to Sport.

The Red Devils apparently see the Spanish international as a “great” partner for captain Harry Maguire at the heart of the Manchester club’s defence, but a report by the Manchester Evening News had suggested a player could be used in a potential swap deal to secure the defender’s services.

However, Sport say Villarreal president Fernando Roig has already made it clear that he won’t accept an offer below the buyout fee as the Yellow Submarine need the funds to strengthen the squad ahead of next season.

The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City are also believed to be interested in Torres, but United are currently the favourites for his signature, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looking to sign the 24-year-old ahead of the likes of Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Jules Kounde.