Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool’s need for defensive reinforcements has become something of an open secret on Merseyside, particularly after their late-window move for Marc Guehi collapsed last summer. The prospect of strengthening at the back in January took a hit last week, though, when Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner all but ruled out a winter exit for Guehi, making it clear the England international is set to stay at Selhurst Park until the end of the season.
With a January deal for Guehi now highly unlikely, focus has inevitably shifted back to alternative options. DaveOCKOP has already reported exclusively that Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck remains a prominent name on Liverpool’s shortlist. The club have been in contact with intermediaries involved in trying to bring the German centre-back to Anfield, and those discussions are understood to have been encouraging so far.
But from Spain, another intriguing option has been linked to the Merseyside club. Indeed, according to Spanish outlet Diario AS (via ED), Celta Vigo defender Óscar Mingueza is being tipped as a Reds target. The former Barcelona defender has quietly rebuilt his career at Celta Vigo and is now emerging as one of La Liga’s more intriguing market opportunities. According to the report, Liverpool have added Mingueza to their list of monitored targets as they track potential low‑cost, versatile options ahead of 2026.
Mingueza, now 26, is out of contract at the end of the current season with RC Celta. That contractual situation makes him especially interesting to recruitment departments across Europe. From 1 January 2026 he is free to negotiate and sign with any club, and his ability to operate both as a centre‑back and as an attacking right‑sided full‑back/wing‑back.
This season he has already notched 20 appearances for Celta, logging 1,304 minutes with one goal and three assists. However, it seems that Mingueza himself is not exactly pushing for a move, saying last month about his situation:
“It’s clear that I’m very happy and comfortable here. I want to continue and we’ll see what happens. I know that if I stay, I wouldn’t earn the same as anywhere else. I look for both things a little.”
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