Crystal Palace set to sign defender Oscar Mingueza on free transfer

Crystal Palace are set to sign defender Oscar Mingueza on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Celta Vigo after the expiration of his contract last month. He is capable of playing in central defence or as a full-back.

Mingueza is set to become Palace’s first signing of the summer under new head coach Pierre Sage, who has been appointed as Oliver Glasner’s replacement at Selhurst Park. If deployed at centre-back, he would join group that includes Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards, Jaydee Canvot and Chadi Riad.

Former captain Marc Guehi departed in January to join Manchester City, while Lacroix is the subject of interest from Chelsea, who have made the France international one of their main targets.

Mingueza made 47 appearances for Celta last season, featuring mainly at full-back, helping the side finish sixth in La Liga and qualify for the Europa League for the second season in a row.

A product of Barcelona’s academy, Mingueza made his first team debut for the Catalan club in November 2020 and went on to become a regular that campaign, making 39 appearances. His number of appearances dropped to 27 in the 2021-22 season, only making nine starts in the league, and joined Celta in July 2022.

He appeared 147 times for Celta, scoring seven goals and recording 15 assists.

Mingueza has been capped four times by Spain, starting the Nations League final against Portugal last year, though he was not included in Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup.