Aston Villa director of football Roberto Olabe is now planning an attempt to sign a “brilliant” player, with Unai Emery an admirer.
Emery wants new signings to boost European qualification hopes
Emery has confirmed there isn’t a great deal of money to work with this month, but there could be some arrivals, with the manager keen on some new additions to boost his side’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
The manager said: “We are alert and if we can sign someone to help us and really improve, we will do it. We can sign players, only we can’t spend a lot. But we can do something and of course maybe change (move on) players as well.
“We want to be ambitious to achieve our objective. Our objective is European football. When I came here three years and two months ago, it was to have a new experience in the Premier League, and to try to build this team to fight for trophies and play in Europe consistently.”
Having missed out on Conor Gallagher, who has signed for Tottenham Hotspur, the Villans will have to move on to alternative targets in central midfield, and AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott was recently named as a target.
Not only do Villa want to improve their options in central midfield, but they are also keen to bring in a new right-back, according to a report from Sport (via Sport Witness), which claims Olabe is now planning a fresh attempt to sign Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza.
Mingueza’s contract with the La Liga club expires in the summer, and the right-back is unwilling to agree a new deal, meaning he could move on this month, although his current employers are insisting the €20m (£17m) release clause is paid in full.
Emery is personally an admirer of the full-back, and the player himself is keen on a move to the Premier League, which suggests a deal could be a real possibility.
Aston Villa to seal January signing in ‘days’ as Emery responds to Gallagher blow
The Villans have wasted no time.
“Brilliant” Mingueza could be solid signing for Villa
Lauded as “brilliant” by journalist Sid Lowe, the ex-Barcelona ace is versatile, having featured on both sides at full-back, and further forward on the wing this season, which could make him a useful option for Emery.
The 26-year-old has been an important player for Celta Vigo, making 22 appearances in all competitions, most recently making two tackles and winning five of the seven ground duels he contested to help his side to a 1-0 victory over Sevilla.
An average of 6.89 progressive passes per 90 over the past year places the four-time Spain international in the 96th percentile, compared to other full-backs, while an average of 0.10 non-penalty goals across the same time period ranks him in the 83rd.
As such, Mingueza is clearly a well-rounded defender, capable of making an impact at both ends of the pitch, and he could be a savvy signing for Villa.