Villarreal’s calm summer, surgical moves and faith in the academy | OneFootball

Villarreal closed the window with unusual calm, no big sales or late drama, and a plan of continuity. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Pape Gueye, once touted to leave, stayed as Fernando Roig Negueroles’ early pledge to avoid a rebuild held.

The main change is in the dugout. Iñigo Pérez has been, in many ways, the key addition and, despite no win in the first three matches, his side already presses higher, plays on the front foot and lacks only precision in both boxes.

Only two signings arrived, Péter Gulácsi and Nathan Saliba, while Carlos Romero returned after two strong seasons on loan at Espanyol. With Diego Conde to Betis and Arnau Tenas to Mallorca, an experienced keeper to push Luiz Júnior was prioritised. Gulácsi has yet to make his official debut.

Saliba cost 15 million euros from Anderlecht to deepen midfield competition with Gueye and Santi Comesaña. Prospects Carlos Maciá and Alassane Diatta step up after the exits of Parejo and Thomas. Ilias Akhomach also returns from Rayo Vallecano, where he played under Pérez.

Outgoings were modest, including Terrats to Getafe, Kambwala to Como on loan with a non-obligatory 10 million option, Álex Forés to Burgos and Alfonso Pedraza leaving free. By contrast, 2025/26 brought three major sales worth more than 100 million euros, including Álex Baena, Yeremy Pino and Thierno Barry. This time only light touches were needed for a squad set to compete in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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