Villarreal manager Unai Emery has dealt a blow to Manchester United's aspirations of signing highly-rated centre-back Pau Torres.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is thought to be tracking the likes of Raphael Varane and Jules Kounde in his centre-back search, but a recent report claimed that they were at the head of the queue to sign Torres from Villarreal.
The Spain international has affirmed that he is "very calm" amid speculation surrounding his future, but Emery has now claimed that only Spain's superpowers could attempt to strike a deal for his centre-back.
Speaking to Radio Marca, Emery said: "If Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona want Villarreal players, it's a source of pride. And Pau Torres? Double, because he's also from here.
"If he leaves here, he has to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona."
While Torres is rumoured to be high on Solskjaer's priority list, the Red Devils manager has reportedly earmarked Varane as his ideal long-term partner for Harry Maguire.
Torres has featured in 35 matches for Villarreal this term - scoring two goals in La Liga and one in the Europa League - and his existing deal at Villarreal does not expire until 2024.
Ben Knapton
