Having sold Pau Torres to Aston Villa in a big-money move earlier this month, Villarreal have been on the lookout for a replacement for the Spanish international defender.
They have been contemplating several options, and it now appears that they have settled on one: Matteo Gabbia. The 23-year-old will join Los Groguets on a season-long loan, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that it will be completed next week.
The deal for Gabbia is believed to be completely separate to the one between Milan and Villarreal for Samuel Chukwueze. The Nigerian international, who is in the final year of his contract in Castellon, is close to joining the Italian giants in an operation that could cost up to €25m.
Chukwueze will be the third big-money sale that Villarreal have made this summer (after Nicolas Jackson and Torres) but the Yellow Submarine continue to replace these stars with effective low-cost options, which is an ode to their impressive transfer policy.