Willy Kambwala set for shock Manchester United exit with Villarreal transfer close | OneFootball

But young French defender’s time at Old Trafford might not be definitively over just yet

Widespread reports on Saturday claim that Villarreal are poised to take the teenage centre-back to LaLiga in a surprise deal worth a total of €11.5million (£9.6m), comprised of €5.5m (£4.6m) up front and a further €6m (£5m) in add-ons.

The Manchester Evening News further report that United have inserted both a sell-on clause - described as “significant” by other outlets - and a buy-back option into the deal, meaning that Kambwala’s time at Old Trafford may not be done just yet.

The 19-year-old joined United from French club Sochaux for €2m in 2020, graduating from the academy before making his way into the first-team ranks and getting a surprise senior debut under Erik ten Hag in a 2-0 Premier League loss at West Ham last December amid a selection crisis with all of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia sidelined.

Exit looming: Willy Kambwala is set to leave Manchester United for Spanish side Villarreal

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Kambwala went on to make a total of 10 senior appearances for United’s first team last season having previously been a regular at Under-21 and U18 level, eight in the Premier League to go along with two outings in the FA Cup.

His last appearance was as a substitute in the 1-0 home defeat by title-chasing Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 12. He had one year left to run on his current contract in Manchester.

With Kambwala now following the released Raphael Varane out of the exit door, centre-back remains a key position for United to strengthen this summer having decided to keep Ten Hag as manager and secure him a new contract despite their worst-ever Premier League finish in a campaign that finished with FA Cup success over Manchester City at Wembley.

United have so far seen multiple bids for England’s Jarrad Branthwaite rejected by Everton, while they are also believed to be keen on signing Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. The club are also said to have had a bid accepted by Lille for Leny Yoro are also close to a deal for Bologna and Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee.

It is also reported that Everton’s imminent £50m sale of Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana to Aston Villa will scupper any remaining hope of United signing Branthwaite in this window.

Kambwala would be joining a Villarreal team that finished eighth in LaLiga last season after appointing new manager Marcelino in October and lost to Marseille in the last 16 of the Europa League.

So far this summer the club have signed former Marseille midfielder Pape Gueye and Spanish goalkeeper Diego Conde from Leganes.