Arsenal set to beat Chelsea in transfer race for Villarreal star Pau Torres after Cazorla tip-off

ARSENAL are leading the race to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres, according to reports.

The Gunners have stepped up their pursuit for the 22-year-old after Unai Emery received a tip-off from Santi Cazorla.

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Cazorla personally recommended Torres to his former club following his sublime spell of form in Spain.

Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked to him, but claim Arsenal are at the front of the queue.

Unai Emery is desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements despite signing David Luiz and William Saliba in the summer.

But the 22-year-old will not come cheap after Villarreal pinned him down with a new five-year deal earlier this month.

He now has a release clause of between £43m and £65 - but the Gunners will be hoping to snap him up for less.

Torres has cemented his spot in the Spanish side's starting XI and has played every minute of their La Liga season so far.

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He spent last season out on loan with Malaga - where he scored one goal in 40 appearances across all competitions.

SunSport exclusively revealed that Arsenal are keen to snap up Scunthorpe teenager midfielder Joey Dawson.

And they have reportedly got their eye on highly-rated La Havre AC youngster Tom Cadoche.

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