West Ham United Are Interested In The Celta Vigo Defender: Will He Be A Good Signing? | OneFootball

West Ham United need to bounce back after a 2024/25 season that left a bitter taste in the mouths of its fans. The London club finished the Premier League in 14th place, far from their European aspirations. With the arrival of Graham Potter on the bench, the board is planning a busy summer of departures and signings.

The rebuild is not limited to attacking or midfield players; the defence also urgently needs reliable reinforcements. The right-back is exposed after the departure of Vladimir Coufal, a regular for years. That is why the idea of signing a reliable, versatile player with experience in a demanding league is gaining momentum among the club’s sporting directors.

West Ham United Are Interested In Óscar Mingueza

TBR Football revealed that West Ham United have already held talks with Óscar Mingueza, currently a defender for Celta Vigo and a former Barcelona player. According to this media outlet, the Catalan defender would welcome a move to the Premier League. Potter wants players who can fit in quickly, and Mingueza fits that profile.

The right-back has performed well for the Galician side, where he has established himself as one of the most consistent players. The Hammers released Coufal after his contract expired and was not renewed, leaving a gap that needs to be filled by someone capable of providing security at the back and clean ball distribution. The deal still requires details to be worked out between the clubs, but the interest is real and firm.

Opinion:

Personally, we think Óscar Mingueza is an interesting option to fill Coufal’s vacancy. He has strengths that cannot be ignored: good tactical awareness, agility in coverage and an ability to adapt to both centre-back and full-back positions. That versatility could be gold for a manager like Potter, who tends to favour flexible systems and needs players who can adapt. In addition, Mingueza does not crumble under pressure, something he learned during his time at Barcelona.

However, it is important not to paint a perfect picture. The Catalan sometimes suffers from a certain inconsistency in direct defensive duels and struggles against very fast wingers. However, the Premier League demands a physical leap that could polish his shortcomings if he adapts quickly. For Potter, the arrival of a defender capable of alternating positions opens up a range of defensive options.

He would not be so dependent on signing a specific substitute and would gain resources for moments when games are stuck. The club need to send a message of serious and coherent rebuilding, and this type of intelligent signing can pave the way. Mingueza is not a superstar, but he is a professional who can bring solidity to a weakened defence.

If the deal is closed at a reasonable price, the board will show that they have learned their lesson from a disappointing year and that they will not throw money away without logic. The challenge will be to give him confidence and surround him with a team that does not expose him. In the short term, his signing could be the first brick in a more compact defence, ready to return West Ham United back to form.