Could Juventus be getting set to sign their first player of the January transfer window?
We have noted rather frequently over the last few weeks that Juventus really only have one true option as a fullback on the right. And it just so happens that said option, Pierre Kalulu, has played every single minute of every single game so far this season — something that is surely testing every bit of the Frenchman’s stamina and fitness levels now that we’re in the middle of January.
But there could very well be help on the way.
It’s not somebody currently on the roster, so apologies to all the Joao Mario heads out there. Instead, Juventus are looking to dip into the winter transfer market to bring in an option on the right for the fullback and wingback position. That name is Oscar Mingueza, a 26-year-old Spaniard who currently plays for Celta Vigo in La Liga. Juventus are in talks to sign the former Barcelona youth product, who has a contract that is set to expire this coming summer. It is because of that, according to ilBianconero’s Romeo Agresti and others in Italy like Fabrizio Romano, that Juventus are pushing to get a deal done during the winter transfer window.
New Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini was reportedly in person to scout Mingueza during Celta Vigo’s win over Sevilla on Monday, according to Sky Italia.
The catch in all this is that Mingueza has a release clause of €20 million and 50% of any transfer fee that Juventus might pay for him will go right on over to Barcelona as part of his move to Celta Vigo in 2022. Juventus, as you can probably guess, don’t intend to put in a bid anywhere close to the €20 million release clause.
The ilBianocnero report described said conditions as “a factor that is affecting the negotiations.”
Romano describes things as being “deal on” when it comes to Juventus trying to sign Mingueza, who also reportedly has a handful of clubs interested in signing him on a free transfer over the summer.
When it comes to the player himself, Mingueza has shown an ability to play all over the back during Celta Vigo’s 2025-26 campaign. He’s appeared as a fullback on the right. He’s appeared as a fullback on the left. He’s played as a wingback on both wings. He’s also played as a center back in the past. He has the versatility that this Juventus team could really use — especially at a time in which their options at the fullback and wingback spots are extremely limited due to sheer numbers or just players being out of form (Andrea Cambiaso) or out of favor (Joao Mario).
Mingueza is one of Celta Vigo’s highest-rated players this season, according to WhoScored. He has appeared in 21 games in all competitions for Celta, which currently sits in seventh place in La Liga. In those 21 games across La Liga and the Europa League, Mingueza has scored one goal and recorded three assists.
Category: General Sports
