Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza has reportedly emerged on the radar of Ligue 1 club Bordeaux over a possible January move.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Oscar Mingueza is the subject of interest from Bordeaux over a possible late move in the ongoing transfer window. The Ligue 1 club and Barcelona already have an agreement for a transfer, but the Spaniard does not wish to join them.
Oscar Mingueza joined Barcelona as an eight-year-old in 2007 before making gradual progress through the club’s famed academy La Masia. The 22-year-old finally earned his first-team breakthrough in November 2020 after slogging it out with Barcelona B for a long time.
In the last 15 months, the Spanish defender has been utilised as a centre-back and right-back by both Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez, but his stature has fallen lately. To date, Mingueza has made 58 appearances for Barcelona, with 19 coming in the ongoing campaign. But the player could leave Barcelona this month, with Bordeaux emerging as his latest suitor.
The Ligue 1 club could do with an option for the right-back slot, considering Enock Kwateng is the only natural in the position. Vladimir Petkovic has even deployed Timothee Pembele, a centre-back, as a makeshift right-back on many occasions in the 2021/22 season, which points towards the need for a new addition for the spot.
To that end, Mingueza has emerged as a viable target for les Marines et Blanc. The Ligue 1 club has already approached Barcelona over a possible late move in the January transfer window, with the two clubs even reaching an agreement to complete the transfer before Monday’s deadline.
But Mingueza has no intention of joining Bordeaux despite not being a first-choice option for Xavi Hernandez. The 22-year-old has swiftly rejected the opportunity to sign the Ligue 1 outfit, and a move to Valencia could instead be on the horizon.
Barcelona would prefer cashing in on the Spanish defender this month, especially considering they are in the market for a right-back. Borussia Dortmund defender Thomas Meunier has recently emerged on Barcelona’s radar.
The Blaugrana will only have the opportunity to add the Belgian international to the first-team squad and register him if they can make room on their roster, so selling Mingueza will be important. But with time running out, it looks like Mingueza will stay put at Barcelona beyond this month.
