Villarreal outline midfield plan for the Champions League after Dani Parejo and Thomas Partey exits | OneFootball

Villarreal are reshaping their midfield after Dani Parejo and Thomas Partey departed at the end of 2025/26, both out of contract. The plan blends continuity from the senior core with promotion from the academy.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Iñigo Pérez will start 2026/27 with four central options, Pape Gueye, Santi Comesaña, Carlos Maciá and Alassane Diatta. Gueye and Comesaña are established, Maciá and Diatta have stepped up from Villarreal B.

Maciá can operate as a pivot in front of the defence, read space, aid build-up and provide balance, a profile akin to Rodri. The club want him fully integrated, competing for minutes while developing physically, tactically and competitively.

Diatta is also in Pérez’s plans, valued for his energy, ground coverage and scope for improvement. He offers a different option to round out the rotation.

Initially Dani Requena returned from a loan at Córdoba in Segunda División after a strong season, but on 17 July he joined Levante on a season-long loan with a non-mandatory 5 million euros option.

If Levante trigger it, Villarreal retain buy-back clauses for the summers of 2028 and 2029, keeping a degree of control over his pathway.

Gueye, named LaLiga’s African footballer for 2025/26, is regarded as untouchable and there have been no concrete offers. Any bidder must come close to his 40 million euros release clause.

With Gueye in situ, no big-money addition in midfield is planned. The club would only add if a player improves the squad and arrives on favourable terms, ideally as a free agent or on loan, and a youngster could then alternate between the first team and Villarreal B.

A sale of Gueye near his clause would change the picture, prompting a major outlay on a top-level midfielder.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo