Villarreal defender Pau Torres 'prefers Manchester United over Spurs'

Manchester United have reportedly been handed a significant boost in the race to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres.

After only finishing in sixth position in the Premier League standings, United will make widespread changes to their first-team squad this summer.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that newly-appointed manager Erik ten Hag wanted club officials to get a deal over the line for Torres 'at all costs'.

According to Cadena SER, the 25-year-old is more open to a transfer to Old Trafford than he is to Tottenham Hotspur, who are also long-term admirers of the Spain international.

The report suggests that United and Spurs are the only clubs to lodge a formal £42.5m bid, Torres currently having just two options when it comes to the next phase of his career.

However, Chelsea and Manchester City remain alternatives for the centre-back, who starred for Villarreal in this season's Champions League as the Yellow Submarine defeated the likes of Juventus and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages.