Aston Villa are eyeing the Barcelona star as they eye a move to the Premier League

Aston Villa are preparing for another summer with ambitions to end the season with Europa League success, and early signs suggest that Unai Emery has moved ahead with plans to strengthen key areas of the club.

Villa's Europa League victory capped another fine campaign under Emery and secured Champions League football for next season.

The club has continued to grow impressively since the Spaniard's arrival, and attention has now turned to building a team capable of balancing domestic and European needs.

Recent reports have suggested that Villa may be focusing more on strengthening their defense during the window, especially with Financial Fair Play considerations expected to shape their business.

There has also been growing speculation about possible moves, particularly for Morgan Rogers, with clubs across Europe monitoring several Villa players after another solid season.

Villa is believed to be prioritizing flexibility and value in the market rather than chasing marquee signings.

That way may explain the latest word to appear.

Aston Villa are eyeing Oscar Minguuza on a free transfer from Celta Vigo

According to Sky Sports reporter, Patrick Rowe, through their live portal, Aston Villa are looking to sign former Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza, who is expected to leave Celta Vigo this summer.

The Spaniard is now available on a free transfer, making him an attractive option for a number of clubs across Europe, and is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Mngueza has rebuilt his reputation during his time in La Liga after leaving Barcelona in 2022.

At Celta Vigo, the 27-year-old has developed into a reliable and versatile full-back at right back, centre-back or wide forward when needed.

That flexibility could be very attractive to Emery.

The Villa manager has been keen on players who can fill multiple roles in defence, especially given the demands of European football and the squad rotation required over a long season.

Minguuza's experience at club and international level would make him valuable without requiring a huge transfer fee.

The defender started at Barcelona's academy and made over 60 appearances for the club before moving to Celta. Although he was never considered a long-term star at the Camp Nou, his technical quality and tactical acumen were widely praised during his formative years.

Since joining Celta Vigo, Mngueza has grown a lot. He has become one of the team's most reliable players and has continued to attract attention due to his consistency and comfort playing at the back.

For Villa, the financial side of the deal could be as important as the football aspect.

Even after the Europa League success, the club is still expected to work strictly within PSR rules, with the new Squad Cost Ratio rules not coming into play until the start of the 2026/2027 season.

Free transfers and low-cost opportunities are likely to play a big role in your strategy this summer, especially if they are pursuing big deals elsewhere in the club.

Minguza would fit that model perfectly. He brings high-level experience, positional flexibility and European pedigree without the need to shell out a huge transfer fee.

There is still work to be done before any agreement can be reached, and Villa are not believed to be alone in monitoring his situation, but the interest appears to be genuine, and the opportunity to work under Emery while competing in Europe could also prove attractive to the player.