Torino and Villarreal raid Las Palmas for standout defenders | OneFootball

Until a disappointing run in spring of last year, Las Palmas had one of the best defences in La Liga, and it has not gone unnoticed.

While Mika Marmol has been heavily linked with a move, it is his central defensive partner Saul Coco that has left Las Palmas first, joining Torino. The 25-year-old defender joins the Serie A side on a four-year deal in exchange for €7.5m. Las Palmas will also potentially benefit from €2.5m in variables, and a 10% sell-on fee. He leaves the club after four years and his entire professional career there, after an excellent season on the island.

Meanwhile Villarreal have brought in left-back Sergi Cardona. After a strong first half of the season, and with his contract expiring this summer, he was linked to the likes of Real Betis, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. It was the Yellow Submarine who got in fastest though, as per Fabrizio Romano, with Porto also turned down.

The 24-year-old will join on a three-year deal, and strengthen the left-back area. After Alberto Moreno’s exit, Cardona will compete with Alfonso Pedraza in all likelihood, given Johan Mojica is expected to leave the club shortly.

Las Palmas’ Sporting Director Luis Helguera has signed Alex Munoz on a free from Levante, and as things stand, he would likely compete with Alex Suarez and Juanma Herzog for a spot alongside Marmol.