Aston Villa have been presented with a potential transfer bargain, with the opportunity to sign Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza for a cut-price £8 million fee this January.
Defensive Target Available for Cut Price
According to reports from the Daily Mail, the Spanish right-back has been 'proposed' to Villa boss Unai Emery as his current club seeks a fee for a player whose contract expires in June. Mingueza, 26, would be available as a free agent in the summer, prompting Celta Vigo to push for a sale this month to avoid losing him for nothing.
The Midlands club are not alone in this opportunity, however. The report states that Newcastle United and West Ham United have also been 'offered' the chance to secure the versatile defender's signature. West Ham's interest comes amid a desperate battle against relegation, with the club currently in the bottom three and seven points from safety.
Profile of the Former Barcelona Academy Product
Oscar Mingueza is a familiar name to followers of Spanish football. The 6ft tall defender started his career at Barcelona, rising through the famed La Masia academy before making 66 first-team appearances for the Catalan giants.
Since joining Celta Vigo in 2022, he has established himself as a key player, making 121 appearances in all competitions and scoring seven goals. This season alone, he has featured 21 times. Primarily a right-back, Mingueza also offers the ability to play in central defence, a valuable trait given Villa's injury concerns with players like Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres.
Does the Deal Make Sense for Villa?
The potential move presents an intriguing dilemma for Unai Emery. Villa currently have Matty Cash and Andres Garcia as options at right-back, suggesting the position is not an immediate priority. The team's strong league position, sitting 3rd behind Arsenal and Manchester City, also means any signing must be a clear upgrade or provide necessary depth.
However, the £8 million fee for an experienced, versatile defender with top-level pedigree represents a significant potential bargain in today's market. His ability to cover at centre-back could be particularly useful for the remainder of the campaign. Whether Villa choose to act on this proposal ahead of Newcastle or a desperate West Ham side remains to be seen as the January window progresses.
