Aston Villa have transfer alternative to Oscar Mingueza which could lead to Unai Emery reunion
Aston Villa are exploring options abroad as they look into adding another layer of cover to Unai Emery's defensive department - and that could lead them back to Villarreal, from where they plucked Emery himself in the first place.
Villa have lost Pau Torres - another Villarreal recruit in the summer of 2023 - to a foot injury suffered in the 2-2 draw with Brighton over Christmas, which will rule him out for the next couple of months. Villa could loan out young right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, while there remains interest from abroad in centre half Diego Carlos.
As such, another defender is likely to be sourced this month. They haven't been in short supply, either; Oscar Mingueza, also based in Spain with Celta Vigo, is understood to be of interest but the former Barcelona centre half is likely to command the thick end of 20m euros. To that end, Villa could look elsewhere - and a name has emerged which is familiar to Emery.
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Reports in Spain suggest that Villa could consider a move for Juan Foyth to help beef up their defensive options for the second half of this season; Foyth was signed by Emery, on an initial loan from Tottenham Hotspur, in 2020 and in his first season at El Madrigal he helped the club win the Europa League, beating Manchester United in the final.
Foyth, who made only 32 appearances in three seasons for Spurs, has been hit hard by injuries at Villarreal in recent years; he suffered a shoulder injury a little over a year ago and has only just made his return just before Christmas. Despite being recognised as a centre half, Foyth filled in at right back to great effect for Emery during their time together in Villarreal.
The Argentina international, who won the World Cup with his country in Qatar in 2022, turns 27 this week and has 18 months left on his Villarreal contract as things stand, but has been exposed to limited first-team minutes in the last 12 months as he's recovered from his injury issues.
