Arsenal 'could sign Pau Torres as Gabriel Magalhaes replacement'

There is currently widespread speculation surrounding Gabriel's future, with Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona among the clubs to be credited with an interest in the Brazilian.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, "many, many clubs" are keen on a deal for the Arsenal centre-back, which could lead to the Gunners targeting Torres from Villarreal.

"Many, many clubs are in for Gabriel Magalhaes. It's not going to be an easy one because Arsenal have no intention of selling him. But many clubs are tracking this deal," said Romano on his official podcast.

"And let's see what happens with Arsenal for Pau Torres, in case some top club will arrive for Gabriel. He could be an option for Arsenal."

Torres was strongly linked with Manchester United earlier this summer, and a recent report claimed that the Red Devils would have signed the Spain international had new head coach Erik ten Hag not vetoed the move.

Ten Hag is said to have overruled the club's recruitment department to instead target Lisandro Martinez, with the Red Devils coming to an agreement with Ajax over the Argentina international.

Torres was also strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur last summer, but he stayed with Villarreal in order to represent the club in the Champions League during the 2021-22 campaign.

"The pull of playing the Champions League with the team from my town was bigger," Torres told The Guardian last year when asked why he decided to reject an exit in the summer of 2021.

"I was clear from the start. This is only the fourth time Villarreal reached the Champions League, which shows how hard it is, and it was a dream to play in the competition with my lifelong club."

Juventus have also been credited with an interest in the Spaniard, who made 47 appearances for Villarreal last term, contributing six goals and one assist in the process, playing a key role in the club reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

"Right now there is nothing at all, there is talk of many things like every year, I have peace of mind of being where they want me, at the club of my life and I have this offer right now that I value as very positive", AS quoted Torres as saying when addressing his future earlier this summer.

"There is nothing right now, the only thing I have is the offer from Villarreal, so I am very calm."

Torres, who has been capped on 19 occasions by Spain, has spent his entire career with the Yellow Submarine, representing the club 134 times in all competitions.

The defender spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan with Malaga and has been a key player for Villarreal over the last three seasons, only missing 14 league games since his return.