Juventus are close to signing Oscar Mingueza from Celta Vigo. The deal looks set for this January window. Reports say the Italian club offered between five and six million euros. Celta Vigo might accept to bring in cash now. Talks moved fast in the last day or two.
Mingueza is 26 years old. He plays as a right-back but can fill in at center-back too. He started at Barcelona’s academy. He made his first-team debut there in 2020.
He played over 60 games for them before leaving in 2022. Celta Vigo signed him for about two million euros. His contract ends this summer. That makes him a free agent soon if no deal happens now.
Juventus need help on the right side. Their coach Luciano Spalletti wants more options. Joao Mario has not worked out well. The team sits in the top four in Serie A.
They want to stay competitive in Europe too. Mingueza fits because he adapts to different setups. He can play in a back four or as a wing-back. His passing and defending stand out.
Five clubs showed interest at first. Juventus pushed hardest. They scouted him during Celta’s game against Sevilla on Monday. New director Marco Ottolini went to watch. He liked what he saw. Mingueza played the full match. Celta won 2-1. He set up a goal.
Celta do not want to let him go cheap. Barcelona gets half of any fee because of a clause. That is why they held off. But Juventus raised their bid. It started lower but went up to six million. Personal terms look agreed. Mingueza wants the move. He knows Serie A from facing Italian teams in Europe.
This fits Juventus’ plan. They signed young players last summer. Now they add experience without big spending. The club cut costs after tough years. Mingueza brings La Liga know-how. He won the league with Barcelona in 2023. He also played for Spain’s under-21 team.
Other clubs backed off. Manchester United looked at him as a backup. But they went another way. Noussair Mazraoui became their plan B instead. Juventus moved quick to seal it.
Fans in Turin seem happy. Posts online show excitement. One said Mingueza adds depth right away. Another worried about his injury history. He missed games last season with a knee problem. But he started strong this year. Eight assists in La Liga so far.
Celta Vigo need to replace him if he leaves. They sit mid-table. Losing a key player hurts. But the money helps their budget. Coach Claudio Giraldez praised Mingueza last week. He called him a leader.
The deal should wrap up soon. Medical tests could happen this week. If done, Mingueza joins training next. He might debut against Inter Milan later this month.
Juventus have done smart business before. They got Adrien Rabiot on a free. This feels similar. Low risk for good reward.
Barcelona watches too. They get a cut if it goes through now. Around three million euros. That boosts their books.
No official word yet from the clubs. But sources say it is close. Fabrizio Romano called it a done deal in principle. More news expected today or tomorrow.
Mingueza grew up in Barcelona. He joined their youth at age seven. Family ties there. But he wants regular play. Juventus offers that.
The transfer window closes end of January. Time runs short. But this one looks on track.
Other names linked to Juventus. Like Guido Rodriguez for midfield. But Spalletti picked defense first.
This move could help Juventus push for the title. They trail Napoli by points. Extra depth matters in a long season.
Mingueza spoke last year about leaving Barcelona. Xavi did not rate him high. He felt pushed out. Now he gets a fresh start.
Celta fans will miss him. He captained the team at times. Solid performer.Watch for announcements. It adds to January buzz in Italy.
