Journalist hints Tottenham may have just got "major boost" in bid to sign "brilliant" £50m star

Tottenham Hotspur will be handed a ‘major boost’ in their bid to sign Villarreal central defender Pau Torres if they succeed in bagging a place in next season’s Champions League, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Spurs are still in with a serious chance of finishing in the Premier League’s top four, which would give the north Londoners a safe passage into Europe’s top club competition, heading into their final match of the season.

Tottenham have been keeping a close eye on Torres and sent officials to watch the Villarreal star during both legs of his current employers’ Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

It comes after Football Insider revealed in March that the 25-year-old has worked his way onto Spurs’ radar as they look to improve their options at the heart of the defence heading into next season.

The report suggests Antonio Conte, who was appointed as the north Londoners’ head coach last November, is a huge admirer and Villarreal rate their star at upwards of £50million.

Torres has also returned to Manchester United’s shortlist of targets as they head into the transfer window looking to lure a new centre-half to Old Trafford.

But Villarreal are not in an immediate rush to sell Torres as he still has more than two years remaining on his £63,000-per-week contract.

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O’Rourke believes Tottenham will vastly improve their chances of winning the race for Torres’ signature if they qualify for the Champions League.

However, the journalist warns Spurs will face stiff competition as they look to welcome the Spaniard to Hotspur Way.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “If they could offer Champions League football to prospective