Barcelona’s recent clash against Celta Vigo at Balaidos saw them line up against several familiar faces – ones who were in Catalonia not too long ago.
One such player who lined up for Celta Vigo on the night but has a history at Barcelona was Oscar Mingueza, the young, who was seemingly a mainstay under Ronald Koeman but was offloaded after Xavi Hernandez took over.
Since his move to Galicia, Mingueza has developed tremendously and has made himself a mainstay at right-back – so much so that he has generated serious attention on the transfer market front.
Five leading candidates
As relayed in a recent report by Mundo Deportivo, five top European clubs from three different countries are eyeing Mingueza’s signature for the coming transfer windows.
RB Leipzig from Germany, Marseille from France and the trio of Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle United from England are all maintaining tabs on the player and his situation, given that his contract runs out in June.
Oscar Mingueza of Celta Vigo and formerly of Barcelona
Barcelona keeping an eye on Mingueza’s situation. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Barcelona, for their part, retain an option to bring back the player for a bargain sum, but they remain attentive to his situation, given that they retain 50% of his rights.
Mingueza’s current release clause stands at €20 million, meaning that Barcelona are entitled to €10 million should any club pay out his termination clause.
They can sign him by paying the same amount, but have no intention of doing so at the moment.
Given that the defender’s contract runs out in the summer, the clubs could well look to swoop him up on a free transfer if the player does not renew – in which case Barça would miss out on any revenue.
As such, the Catalans are keeping an eye on Mingueza’s situation and will be hoping for the interested clubs to make a move for the right-back in the upcoming January transfer window.