Arsenal 'lead the race for Spanish defender Pau Torres'

Arsenal are reportedly at the head of the queue for Villarreal defender Pau Torres.

The 22-year-old came through the youth system at Villarreal and after spending last season with Malaga in the second tier, has become a key player for the Yellow Submarine this term.

Torres's form has seen him earn a call up to the Spain squad for their October internationals, meanwhile, and he also penned a new five-year deal with his La Liga club earlier this month.

According to 90min, Arsenal are admirers of the centre-back, and the Gunners are currently leading the race ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, who have also both expressed an interest.

The report claims that Torres's new deal contains a release clause of between £44m and £65m but the London club are hopeful of striking a deal for less.

The defender, who stands at 6 ft 4 in, has scored once in eight appearances for Javier Calleja's side in the early stages of the 2019-20 campaign.