The Catalans were in line for a healthy payday if the Italians had purchased the Spaniard in January
Juventus are poised to make a strategic move in the summer transfer window by signing former FC Barcelona player and Spanish international Óscar Mingueza on a free transfer after his contract with Celta Vigo expires in June 2026.
The versatile defender has attracted serious interest from the Italian giants, who have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with the player ahead of a potential four-year deal in Turin.
Mingueza, 26, has been one of Celta’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, capable of playing across the back line as a full-back or wing-back.
His contract situation has become a central talking point in the Spanish and Italian media, with Juventus tracking his progress and planning for his arrival once he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The defender’s imminent move represents a sensible piece of business for Juventus, who continue to rebuild and strengthen under their current sporting project. Known for combining tactical discipline with technical ability on the ball, Mingueza could bolster Juventus’s defensive options while offering flexibility in formations that require full-backs who can contribute offensively.
Juventus’ gain, Barcelona’s loss
Celta Vigo have reportedly been reluctant to let Mingueza leave during the January window unless his €20m release clause is met, preferring to hold onto one of their key players for the remainder of the season.
Mingueza joined Celta from Barcelona in 2022, and part of the agreement included a 50% sell-on clause for the Catalans. But with his Celta contract set to expire this summer, it means cash-strapped Barcelona will not be seeing any money coming in as they would have hoped.
Barcelona’s financial crisis over the last few years has left them in a tight spot when it comes to making signings of their own, and a €10m windfall would’ve gone a long way as they continue to manoeuvre around LaLiga’s strict financial measures.
But for Juventus, it is a win-win situation. Their persistence and the player’s clear intent not to renew his contract suggest that a free move in the summer is increasingly likely.
This season alone, Mingueza has contributed one goal and four assists in 23 appearances in all competitions, showcasing his ability to transition play from defence into attack – a trait Juventus will undoubtedly value.
The Spain international has also earned national team recognition, being capped multiple times for La Roja, which adds an extra layer of pedigree to Juve’s acquisition. For a club with Serie A ambitions and aspirations to return to the upper echelons of European competition, securing a player of Mingueza’s profile on a free deal represents astute business.