Aston Villa working to make first January buy
Villa are stepping up efforts to make their first signing of the January window with Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza emerging as a primary target.
Unai Emery wants to make at least two additions this month with Mingueza seen as a player who can bolster the right-hand side of defence.
President of football operation Monchi was in Spain on Friday night to watch the 25-year-old in action. Mingueza, a product of Barcelona’s academy, has a release clause of around £17million in his contract.
Negotiations are also ongoing with Borussia Dortmund over a deal for winger Donyell Malen and there is confidence on Villa’s side an agreement will be reached. Their most recent bid for Malen is thought to have been around £21m.
Jaden Philogene is due to complete his £23m move to Ipswich this week, while Fenerbahce remain keen on signing Diego Carlos for £10m.
Villa return to action on Wednesday when they visit Everton, the first of three away matches in six days. Emery’s men then go to Arsenal on Saturday, before a key Champions League fixture at Monaco.
Ross Barkley is expected to miss around a fortnight with a calf injury sustained in Friday’s FA Cup win over West Ham.
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