Wolves have been linked with a move for Spain international defender Pau Torres – and Maximilian Kilman might just be looking over his shoulder.
90min reported earlier this week that Wanderers are in the hunt to sign the Villarreal star, with the Spanish club bracing to lose one of their best players in January.
Torres has carved out a strong reputation over the last few years.
The center-half broke through to the first-team in 2016, and has gone on to make 150 appearances for his boyhood club.
He is seen as a very complete defender, who is great on the ball and also strong defensively, both on the ground and in the air.
Torres’ qualities and potential have apparently seen Villarreal place an asking price of at least £40 million on him.
The player does actually have a release clause of around £55 million. But the Spanish outfit would be willing to accept a lower fee to increase the chances of making a sale.
It is stated that Julen Lopetegui is a keen admirer of Torres. The former Sevilla head coach has seen him play up close several times.
Wolves’ interest may not amount to anything.
Admittedly, this would be a very hard deal for the club to do, considering the competition and Wolves’ own current predicament.
But working with Lopetegui might just be something that appeals to Torres.
And were he to complete a sensational January move, that would potentially have consequences for Maximilian Kilman.
Kilman may be looking over his shoulder if Pau Torres made move to Wolves
Torres’ game is not so dissimilar to that of current Wolves defender Kilman.
Both players are left-footed, are great passers of the ball and are of a similar physical build. They are also the same age.
Kilman has enjoyed a fantastic rise at Molineux since becoming a regular starter since the start of the 2021/22 season. He thrived under Bruno Lage, benefiting from a show of faith he didn’t really get under Nuno Espirito Santo.
He excelled on the right of a back three, and has also looked fairly strong in a back four.
His form has dipped a bit over the last couple of months. But with no top quality reserves, Kilman’s place in the starting XI has never been in jeopardy. Toti Gomes has good potential, but he is not about to replace the Englishman at the first sign of struggle.
Torres signing for Wolves would potentially just have Kilman looking over his shoulder a little.
That said, he is capable of playing on the right, which means Nathan Collins would also have to watch out.