La Liga side beat Barcelona and Everton to signature of emerging Cameroonian talent | OneFootball

Villarreal have agreed a shock move for forward Karl Etta Eyong, who had caught the eye of a number of major clubs. The 21-year-old prospect has moved on a permanent deal to Levante, despite those attentions.

Etta Eyong made his breakthrough late last season, grabbing a winner against Girona off the bench late on for Marcelino Garcia Toral. This year Marcelino showed early faith in him again, and it was Etta Eyong who scored their first goal of the season against Real Oviedo, before grabbing an assist at the weekend against Celta Vigo.

Interest from Barcelona and Everton

Yet his future was up in the air from the start of the campaign, and with the Yellow Submarine breaking their transfer record to bring in Georges Mikautadze from Olympique Lyon, and also confirmed the signing of Tani Oluwaseyi from Minnesota United, there was no longer space for him.

LEEDS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: Etta Eyong of Villarreal CF celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Yeremy Pino during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and Villarreal CF at Elland Road on August 02, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Much was said about his release clause situation too. Some reports placed it at €10m, while others suggested it could be as low as half that. Depending on their salary limit situation, Barcelona were supposedly considering signing and loaning out the talented young forward as a market opportunity. Equally Everton, who have already signed one Villarreal forward in Thierno Barry were also interested in him.

Levante win battle for Etta Eyong signature

Yet it is Levante who have come out as surprise victors for his signature. Diario AS say that Villarreal have sold him for €3m, with a right of first refusal and a buyback option, as well as a 50% sell-on clause. Part of the equation was that Cadiz will earn 50% of this fee, and there is a suspicion that the Yellow Submarine will try to buy him outright next summer.