Villarreal have increased the release clause of centre-half Pau Torres, according to reports in the Spanish media. The 23-year-old is one of five defenders who are said to be on a shortlist of Liverpool centre-back targets for the January transfer window.

The Spaniard originally had his buyout fee set at €50m (£44.6m) but that has now been upped to €65m (£58m), which could cause problems for the Reds if they do try and make a move for the centre-back in the New Year.

Torres, who has previously been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United, is one of Europe’s most promising young defenders. He has five caps for Spain’s national team since making his debut last November.

As well as Torres, Liverpool have also reportedly looked at RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, Schalke’s Ozan Kabak and Dynamo Kyiv’s Mykola Matviyenko as potential replacements for Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutchman expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.