Special signing ready to replace two Liverpool stars at once

Special signing ready to replace two Liverpool stars at once

Liverpool have a chance at a special signing who could replace two first-team stars at once.

There's a difficult problem this summer as Liverpool try to fix their full-back problem. The first part of that is obvious: someone must replace 's role in the squad.

That role has been a 'backup' left-back this season and the Scot's departure makes some sort of arrival necessary. Even if it's simply recalling Kostas Tsimikas from his exile.

But there's another issue. Conor Bradley's awful knee injury may keep him out until 2027 and leaves Liverpool over reliant on Jeremie Frimpong at right-back.

They won't want another season of needing to drag Dominik Szoboszlai over into the role, while Joe Gomez - another alternative - is linked with an exit himself as he enters the final year of his deal. Liverpool, then, could do with a new right-back.

But signing a new right-back makes little sense as Bradley will eventually return. It's why a clever move for Oscar Mingueza could be the answer.

Teamtalk are among those linking Liverpool with a move for the Celta Vigo star. Mingueza is capable of playing on both flanks, even as a wing-back or full-back. In fact, his starts are evenly split across the roles - 13 on the left and 13 on the right.

And that feels like the answer for Liverpool. They don't need a left-back to jump in and start every week, while they don't need an out-and-out right-back for longer than eight months.

Mingueza could replace both Robertson and Bradley, the latter temporarily, and make life at Liverpool a lot easier this summer.

Oscar Mingueza: Situation Summary

La Liga Performance and Celta Vigo Role

Oscar Mingueza has enjoyed a standout 2025–2026 season with Celta Vigo, evolving into one of the most statistically impressive defenders in La Liga. As of April 13, 2026, the 26-year-old has made 27 appearances, recording one goal and four assists. Primarily deployed as a versatile wing-back or a possession-heavy full-back, he ranks in the top ten among league defenders for chances created, boasting an 84.1% passing accuracy. His importance to Claudio Giraldez's side was evident during their Europa League run, though he missed the quarter-final second-leg clash against Lyon on April 9 due to a yellow card suspension. He returned to the starting lineup on April 5 in a 3–2 victory over Valencia, maintaining his status as a two-way creative hub for the Galician side.

Transfer Battle and Contract Status

Mingueza’s future is currently one of the most talked-about storylines in European football as he approaches the final weeks of his contract, set to expire in June 2026. Despite his high market value, he is expected to leave Celta Vigo as a free agent this summer. Reports as of April 12 confirm that Liverpool remains firmly in the race for his signature, viewing him as a versatile option capable of covering right-back, left-back, and centre-back. However, the pursuit has intensified, with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa all reportedly making contact with his representatives. While Barcelona retains a sell-on clause from his initial move, their ability to influence his destination is limited by his impending free-agent status, making him one of the most coveted "low-risk" targets for the 2026–2027 season.