With Erik ten Hag joining Manchester United in the summer it is expected that the club will embark on a completely new project under the Dutchman. And a new project needs players to be signed that fit the new manager's style of play.
It is still not clear what positions will be targeted to improve the team under Ten Hag, but one role that could be filled in the upcoming window is at centre-back. With both Phil Jones and Eric Bailly expected to leave Old Trafford, there will be space for another defender in the squad.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United may have reignited their interest in Pau Torres. The Spanish defender was on the club's radar before they signed Raphael Varane last summer but after another impressive campaign with Villarreal this season, United could move for him again.
READ MORE: Manchester United must copy key Liverpool and Man City tactic to succeed under Erik ten Hag
The 25-year-old is left-footed, which is something United have been looking for in a centre-back for some time and is able to distribute consistently and effectively from the back. He is also a good defender who reads the game well and would be able to slot in next to a more aggressive defender like Harry Maguire.
But there are issues with any potential signing. Torres has a release clause of £55m and it is likely that Villarreal would only sell for that given the defenders stock is at an all-time high after the club's Champions League run, and this would be a significant chunk of United's budget.
There is also the issue of whether centre-back should be a high priority on United's list, especially when the defensive midfield problem has yet to be solved. Bailly and Jones departing may only leave the club with three centre-backs, but Nemanja Matic leaving means that they will have zero players who can act as a number six effectively.
United should have addressed this issue last summer but decided against it and it cost them dearly. Paul Pogba's impending departure means they can not let another transfer window go by without significant investment in the midfield.
Torres is a fantastic defender, but he seems like a second window signing more than one United should focus on in the first window. And if the club feel they need a defender, they should look for a cheaper defender who can develop as part of the squad in the long term to stretch their budget wider, rather than spending a large chunk on one player.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
