Mikel Arteta is pushing Arsenal to explore a move for out-of-contract Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, according to reports in Spain. The Premier League champions are keen to further strengthen their backline, with a shortlist being drawn up in preparation for the possible departure of Ben White.
Arsenal's Defensive Reinforcements
Arsenal bolstered their defensive options last summer with the additions of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, the latter's loan deal set to become permanent at the end of the season. However, Jurrien Timber's prominence at right-back has pushed White to the periphery, and there is little chance of the England international staking a claim at centre-back, where Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are deemed untouchable.
Mingueza as a Cost-Effective Option
Newcastle's Tino Livramento, who was forced to pull out of England's World Cup squad through injury, has been heavily linked as a target. However, Arsenal may have to spend in excess of £60 million to prise Livramento away from St James' Park, prompting the north London giants to scour the market for cheaper alternatives. According to Spanish newspaper AS, Arsenal have been alerted to a potential deal for Celta's Mingueza, whose contract expires at the end of the month. The report claims it is an 'open secret' that Mingueza will depart Celta on a free transfer, with the La Liga outfit having brought in right-back Alvaro Nunez in January.
Arsenal are expressing the strongest interest and 'leading the pack' for Mingueza, along with Newcastle. The 27-year-old is said to be 'aiming for the Premier League' this summer. The Gunners' interest is 'primarily driven' by head coach Arteta, who, like Mingueza, rose through Barcelona's La Masia academy ranks. Arsenal's ability to offer Champions League football next season would likely give them the edge over Newcastle, but neither club has made contact with Mingueza's camp as yet. Juventus have also been monitoring Mingueza's situation and are viewed as the 'main alternative' to Arsenal and Newcastle.
Aston Villa and Fulham have been linked in the past but are not believed to be actively pursuing a deal. Central defender Joseph Aidoo and left wing-backs Mihailo Ristic and Franco Cervi are expected to follow Mingueza out the exit door at Celta.
Mingueza's Versatility and Profile
Comfortable operating as a right-back, centre-back, and left-back, Mingueza's profile has been identified as similar to that of White, and his versatility stands out as a major plus point for the Gunners. 'He's a fantastic player. He has a tremendous personality,' Celta head coach Claudio Giraldez told SPORT in April. 'I hope he can stay. But we know it will be difficult to keep him. I hope he can have a great career because he still has a lot of room for improvement. I like him a lot.'
The former Barcelona man has been capped four times by Spain and was part of Luis de la Fuente's side that lost to Portugal in last year's Nations League final. He also played a key role in Spain's side that clinched a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. As a teenager, Mingueza had been tipped as a possible first-team star at Barca, having joined the club's youth ranks at the age of eight. However, he struggled for regular game-time under Xavi, citing a frosty relationship with the manager as a possible reason for his stagnation at the Camp Nou. 'When Xavi arrived, we didn't click well. He must not have liked me or something,' he explained in an interview with Esport3 in 2024. 'I didn't have the best mentality in the world either, and that's why I left Barca, to try to regain my motivation and to enjoy myself.'
