Liverpool are into the January transfer window with multiple targets locked as their season is ravaged by injuries.
Liverpool are reportedly exploring a defensive addition by pursuing a pre-contract agreement with Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza. The 26-year-old Spaniard, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, is out of contract next summer, presenting the Reds with a potential bargain market opportunity.
According to reports from Spain, Liverpool’s interest is firm. The club sees value in Mingueza’s profile as a versatile defender capable of playing both centre-back and right-back, two areas where the squad has been stretched thin by injuries this season. His impending free-agent status aligns with the kind of shrewd, value-driven business the club’s hierarchy often favours.
FC Barcelona gets nothing
A move would deliver a significant financial blow to Barcelona, Mingueza’s former club. When he joined Celta on a free transfer in 2022, the Catalan giants secured a 50% sell-on clause. If a club triggered his reported €20 million release clause, Barcelona would net €10 million. However, if Mingueza runs down his contract and leaves for nothing, as now seems likely, Barça will receive no compensation.[smartframe_images_embed customer-id=”6dfbdbe8ed6ff2eb8f8e8ee3c2cef8f4″ image-id=”wennw0qApr3b” style=”width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 6500px; aspect-ratio: 6500/4332;”]
“This would be bad news for Barcelona, who would prefer the defender to be sold for a significant fee rather than leaving on a free,” as noted in the reports.
Why Mingueza is the best option for Liverpool?
For Liverpool, Mingueza offers an experienced cover on a free. He has rebuilt his career at Celta, making over 120 appearances and contributing with goals and assists from defence. Despite the growing links, the player himself has recently expressed contentment at his current club. “It’s clear that I’m very happy and comfortable here. I want to continue and we’ll see what happens,” Mingueza stated last month, though he acknowledged the financial realities of a potential move.
Liverpool’s injury woes
With long-term injuries to youngsters like Giovanni Leoni and persistent fitness concerns over senior full-backs, adding a reliable, low-cost defender like Mingueza makes strategic sense. It would allow Liverpool to allocate greater resources to other priority positions, such as a marquee centre-back or forward. With Aleksander Isak’s injury and Coday Gapko also sidelined, Liverpool has limited options upfront as well.
As the January window approaches, the prospect of securing a pre-contract with the Spaniard represents a classic piece of opportunistic planning, one that would strengthen Anfield’s ranks and weaken Barcelona’s already timid financial balance sheet.
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