Manchester United are supposedly willing to trigger Pau Torres's £50m release clause in order to prise him away from Villarreal this summer.
With Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly both struggling for consistency throughout the season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to be in the market for a long-term defensive partner for Harry Maguire in the coming weeks.
The likes of Jules Kounde, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane have all been linked with transfers to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils are thought to be at the head of the queue for Torres's signature.
The 24-year-old is said to possess a £50m buyout clause in his Villarreal contract, and according to Spanish journalist Javi Mata, Man United have told his representatives that they are willing to stump up that fee.
Torres will line up against the Red Devils for the Yellow Submarine during next week's Europa League final, which will be his 44th appearance in a Villarreal shirt this season.
Napoli have also been credited with an interest in the Spain international, who has three goals and two assists to his name across all competitions in the 2020-21 campaign.