Barcelona have eyed up Villarreal central defender Pau Torres as a potential alternative to Sevilla's Jules Kounde, according to a report.
The Catalans remain in battle with Chelsea for the latter, who has seemingly hinted at his exit from Seville this summer.
The Premier League outfit appear to be leading the race after submitting an offer worth around £55m for the France international, but the player himself remains in talks with both clubs as things stand.
Should Xavi's side miss out on a deal for the 23-year-old, Torres is being viewed as a backup option according to Mundo Deportivo.
The report suggests that an offer of between €50m (£42.6m) and €60m (£51.1m) would be required to persuade the Yellow Submarine to sell the Spain international, a fee that is reportedly set to deter the interest of Barca.
The 25-year-old has been a potential target since he was part of the youth academy at Villarreal according to the report, but that for various reasons, a move to the Camp Nou has never materialised.
Torres reportedly turned down a move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer due to their lack of Champions League football, and the Spaniard has also been linked with the likes of Manchester United this summer too, with his current club accepting defeat in their attempts to keep him at the club should a bigger club come calling.
Matthew Tranter
