La Liga clubs Valencia and Real Betis are reportedly set to wage a transfer battle for the services of Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Valencia will go head-to-head with fellow La Liga club Real Betis in the race to sign Oscar Mingueza in the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old defender could leave Barcelona ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Oscar Mingueza has come a long way since joining Barcelona as an eight-year-old from UCF Santa Perpetua in 2007. The young Spaniard made gradual progress in the youth setup at Barcelona’s fabled academy La Masia before eventually making his first-team bow at Camp Nou in November 2020.
The 22-year-old has proven to be a dependable squad option for Barcelona, featuring 61 times for the Blaugrana while chipping in with two goals and five assists in the process. But Mingueza faces an uncertain future at Barcelona, as he has a little over a year left on his current deal at Camp Nou.
With Barcelona likely to bring in several defenders, including centre-back Andreas Christensen and right-back Noussair Mazraoui, in the summer transfer window, Mingueza could soon become surplus to requirements. As a result, a move across La Liga could be on the horizon for the Spanish international, with Valencia and Real Betis the possible contenders for his signature.
The interest from Real Betis comes in the wake of the uncertainties surrounding the futures of several ageing defenders. And Mingueza could be an ideal addition to Los Verdiblancos’ first-team squad, with his versatility making him an attractive target for the Andalusian club.
As for Valencia, Los Che attempted to sign Mingueza in the January transfer window before zeroing in on Eray Comert as their central defensive reinforcement. Valencia’s interest in the 22-year-old defender has not waned much, and they could soon approach fellow La Liga club Barcelona over a potential summer transfer.
For now, it looks like Mingueza is inching closer to the exit door at Camp Nou ahead of the summer transfer window. With La Liga clubs Valencia and Real Betis hot on his trail, the young Spanish defender will likely remain in Spain if and when he departs Camp Nou ahead of the 2022/23 season.
