Arsenal have received a significant boost in their pursuit of Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, with the Spanish club's head coach Claudio Giraldez admitting it will be 'difficult' to retain the player this summer. The 26-year-old Spain international is out of contract in June and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.
Mingueza's Versatility Attracts Arsenal
Mingueza, capable of playing at right-back, centre-back, and left-back, has been identified as a potential replacement for Ben White, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates. White's playing time has been limited due to Jurrien Timber's impressive form at right-back, while the central defensive partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba remains firmly established. Additionally, Myles Lewis-Skelly, another versatile defender, has been overtaken by Riccardo Calafiori and is reportedly attracting interest from Manchester United.
According to a report from The Telegraph earlier this month, Mingueza's profile closely matches that of White, and his adaptability is seen as a major asset for Mikel Arteta's squad. The Gunners are preparing for the potential departures of both White and Lewis-Skelly, making defensive reinforcements a priority.
Celta Vigo's Struggle to Keep Mingueza
Celta Vigo head coach Claudio Giraldez praised Mingueza's qualities but acknowledged the difficulty of retaining him. 'He's a fantastic player. He has a tremendous personality,' Giraldez told SPORT. '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.'
Mingueza, a product of Barcelona's La Masia academy, has made 140 appearances for Celta in all competitions. He has been capped four times by Spain and was part of the squad that lost to Portugal in the 2025 Nations League final. He also helped Spain win a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Contract negotiations between Mingueza and Celta have stalled, with both Aston Villa and Fulham also credited with an interest in the defender. While Celta have not given up hope of extending his deal, there is a growing acceptance that he will likely leave on a free transfer this summer.
Mingueza's Barcelona Past
Mingueza joined Barcelona's academy at the age of eight and was tipped for a bright future at the Camp Nou. However, he struggled for regular game time under Xavi Hernandez, leading to his departure in 2022. 'When Xavi arrived, we didn't click well. He must not have liked me or something,' Mingueza explained in a 2024 interview with Esport3. '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.'
Since joining Celta, Mingueza has rediscovered his form and established himself as a key player. His potential availability as a free agent has attracted interest from several clubs, with Arsenal now leading the race following Giraldez's comments.
Arsenal's defensive overhaul last summer saw the arrivals of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, with the latter's loan deal set to become permanent. However, further additions are expected as Arteta looks to build a squad capable of challenging for major honours.
