Pau Torres has indicated his desire to rejoin Villarreal when his contract with Aston Villa expires in 2026. The 29-year-old centre-back, who currently plays for the Premier League side, revealed his plans in a recent appearance on the podcast La Otra Grada, suggesting 2028 as a potential return date to La Ceramica. Torres explicitly stated his intention to see out his current deal with Villa before moving back to his boyhood club on a free transfer.
Torres arrived at Aston Villa in 2023 from Villarreal, where he had spent the majority of his professional career. He expressed a strong preference for a free transfer, stating he does not want Villarreal to incur a transfer fee to re-sign him. “It’s the club of my life and I don’t want them to spend money to sign me,” Torres said, according to L’Équipe.
The Spain international, who has 24 caps and one goal for his country, has already discussed his potential return with Villarreal owner Fernando Roig. He emphasized that any return would be contingent on the club’s willingness and the manager’s assessment of his potential contribution. “If, at that moment, the coach thinks I can bring something, I would be delighted to return,” Torres added.
Torres progressed through the Villarreal academy and went on to make 173 professional appearances for the club before his move to England. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Yellow Submarine, playing a pivotal role in their Europa League triumph in 2021. At Aston Villa, Torres has been a regular fixture in the starting eleven, contributing to their defensive solidity under Unai Emery.
Should the move materialize, it would represent a sentimental homecoming for Torres and a boost to Villarreal’s squad. The transfer would likely see Torres slot back into a familiar role at the heart of the Villarreal defence, potentially mentoring younger players and providing valuable experience.
