Villa interested in Spain star but could face competition from European giants

Aston Villa have expressed interest in Spain international right-back Oscar Mingueza.

The 25-year old, who joined Celta from Barcelona two years ago, can also play at centre back.

He has caught the eye of RB Leipzig, AC Milan and Roma also and has a buy out clause of around £17million.

Villa, who are continuing to discuss a fee for Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen, need cover in defence and Mingueza is one of a number of options under consideration.

Barcelona are understood to hold a 50 per cent sell-on clause for Mingueza who has two caps for Spain and can also play at left-back.

The 25-year-old graduated from Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy, and would go on to play 66 times and scored two goals for his boyhood club before joining Celta.

Since making the move from Spain's north west to the north east, Mingueza has become an important figure at Los Celestes.

The versatile defender has not missed a single LaLiga match for Celta since May 28 2023, turning out a total of 82 times.

Unai Emery's side earned themselves a Champions League qualification spot last term, but have struggled to build on that form in 2024-25.

Ollie Watkins emerged as the natural second-in-line to Harry Kane last season but his goals have dried up this term, and despite Jhon Duran's displays in the first half of the season, Emery and Co are currently in ninth.