Mikel Arteta is eager to land Oscar Mingueza in the summer on a free transfer and get ahead of the competition for the Spaniard.
Oscar Mingueza is set to leave Celta Vigo as things stand, with the Premier League now appearing to be the defender’s next destination. As per Fichajes, Arsenal are the ones pushing to get a deal in place for the 26-year-old La Liga defender, with Mikel Arteta eager to land the full-back for his team.
Many teams were interested in bringing Oscar Mingueza in during the January window, but a mid-season departure made little sense for the 26-year-old La Liga defender. The Celta Vigo star is set to leave the club on a free transfer when his deal there expires, which has alerted a host of sides over in England.
Aston Villa and West Ham have held an interest, while they were part of the teams angling for a January move. However, there are some big hitters in the mix, as the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal are also keen, while Newcastle United and Everton are also credited with admiration.
Everton and Newcastle United are expected to make a move for a new right-back, as signing the 26-year-old La Liga defender on a free transfer will largely suit their finances, as it will also favour Aston Villa, as an example. However, in light of Arsenal pushing for a deal, there is the likelihood that the north Londoners could race ahead in the race.
Mikel Arteta is eager to land the 26-year-old defender on a Bosman move, as Mingueza could improve their defensive depth. The Spaniard could also play multiple other defensive positions, which adds to what the Arsenal manager wants from his players. Should they make a sizeable offer that suits the defender’s prospects, he could make the move to the Emirates.
Why are Arsenal interested in Oscar Mingueza?
There are many reasons why Arsenal and Arteta might view a move for Mingueza favourably, starting with the potential sale of Ben White and viewing the Spaniard as his replacement. Given they could expect a sizeable sum for the English defender, signing Mingueza on a free will suit their finances as well as improve their standing should they decide to sell him in the future if things do not work out.
More importantly, Mingueza adds a different option at right-back — something Arteta’s squad have been screaming out for some time. His tactical flexibility suits the team to the teeth, while his experience of more than 200 senior games in Spain makes him a seasoned professional who would improve Arsenal vastly in a key area of the pitch.