Premier League Champions in the Hunt for Former Barcelona Right Back

Liverpool Look to Bolster Leaky Defence with Transfer Window Looming

It’s fair to say that Liverpool’s campaign has not gone to plan so far; between their flailing big-money signings and leaky defence, the champions have not been able to gather any momentum since losing their first game of the season to Crystal Palace back in September.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, the Reds are now looking for alternative ways to stop the rot, as clearly their £430 million summer spend didn’t plaster over some of the glaring issues in their side.

Their main conundrum lies in defence - Ibrahima looks likely to head for Real Madrid once the season is over, and Virgil van Dijk isn’t exactly getting any younger. Combining that with a lack of first-choice right-back and some mixed form from Milos Kerkez and Andy Robertson at left-back, and it becomes clear that Liverpool have some holes to plug.

🚨 𝐍𝐄𝐖: Liverpool are big fans of Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, whose contract expires in the summer.

[@AnfieldIndex] pic.twitter.com/BZIOwzez2w

— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) December 18, 2025

Now, it seems they may have encountered a solution, as their search has led them to Celta Vigo full-back Oscar Mingueza, according to AnfieldIndex.

Who is Oscar Mingueza?

Initially emerging from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Mingueza has had a stellar spell at Celta Vigo since leaving the Catalan club in 2022. At that time, he had played for his parent club 66 times, and despite being adjudged as not good enough for the serial La Liga champions, his top-flight experience was considered extremely valuable by a host of other lesser clubs.

Eventually leaving for Vigo, Mingueza has thrived, making 121 appearances for the club and helping them to top-half finishes in the last two seasons. His clear improvement in recent years has also resulted in multiple call-ups to the Spanish national team, for whom he has mustered four caps to date.

Capable of playing on both flanks in positions ranging from out-and-out full-back to wide midfielder, Mingueza cannot be criticised for being a one-trick pony - his range and versatility bring a useful unpredictability to his side, and the fact that he can play so many positions means that should Liverpool get an injury in any of his familiar roles, he will be able to fill in at a high level.

Predominantly used on the left side, Mingueza is seen as a viable option because of his creativity - he has 13 assists in the last three seasons, not bad for a defender. This, combined with his useful burst of pace and the typical La Masia trait of coolness on the ball at all times, means the Spaniard could well help Liverpool’s ever more difficult cause.

🗣️ Coach: "Your attitude in defensive set pieces is a **** disgrace."

🗣️ Mingueza: "Mine?"

🗣️ Coach: “What is a **** shame is that Luis de la Fuente called you up for the national team!"

🇪🇸 How Celta informed Óscar Mingueza he was called up to Spain

pic.twitter.com/hQB2elFY5Y

— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) September 3, 2024

With a release clause of around £16.5 million currently active, Liverpool could get their hands on him for a more than reasonable sum come January - however, if they are looking to save their pennies as a result of their summer splurge, they would not have to wait long - Mingueza’s contract expires in the summer, and he would become a highly valuable free agent.

It must be said that Arne Slot’s side is not the only club circling the 26-year-old. According to reports, Barcelona are interested in bringing back their former youth prospect, while a number of unnamed Bundesliga clubs are also tempted to make a move.

While Liverpool have plenty of draw - the signings of Isak, Wirtz, Ekitike, Frimpong and Kerkez highlighted that - their underwhelming performance this season has made them a significantly less attractive destination, and they will have to move quickly if they are to secure Mingueza’s signature.