Aissa Mandi has agreed a move to Villarreal as Liverpool look set to miss out on the Real Betis centre-back, as reported by El Periodico Mediterraneo.
Unai Emery’s side may be preparing for a Europa League clash with Arsenal on Thursday night but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an eye on the transfer market too.
And it looks for all the world as though Villarreal have already secured summer signing number one.
Reports coming out of Spain are saying not only has Mandi agreed a move to the Estadio de la Ceramica, he has already passed his medical.
The Algeria international will be a free agent in July following half a decade at Real Betis.
El Periodico adds Mandi has signed a four-year deal at Villarreal, having impressed Emery with his versatility and experience.
That comes only three weeks after Estadio Deportivo reported the 30-year-old was holding out for a dream move to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, however, appear to have cooled their interest in a player who had also been linked with a move to Anfield in summer 2020.
Mandi’s Villarreal move could have implications for Tottenham Hotspur too.
Spurs might have been hoping Villarreal would trigger the £14 million option-to-buy clause in Juan Foyth’s contract. But, with the covid crisis gripping Spanish football, it seems the Yellow Submarines have gone for the cheaper option instead.
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