Manchester United's Willy Kambwala close to Villarreal transfer

Manchester United defender Willy Kambwala is close to joining Villarreal on a permanent transfer.

The deal will include a buy-back option and matching rights for three years, plus a sell-on clause. It is expected to be completed in the coming days, with Kambwala set to undergo a medical at the Spanish club.

Kambwala has one year remaining on his United contract, which runs until 2025, and he rejected the offer of a new deal.

United consider the timing right to part with the academy graduate, given the 12 months remaining on his contract and the protection added to the deal through buy-back clauses and sell-on fees.

The 19-year-old broke into the United first team last season and made his senior debut against West Ham United in December. He went on to feature 10 times during the 2023-24 campaign as United contended with a number of defensive injury problems.

United signed Kambwala from Sochaux in 2020 — the summer before Brexit regulations changed academy recruitment.

Injuries disrupted his first year at the club, but he was included in a matchday squad for the first time against Liverpool on December 17, and made his full debut six days later at the London Stadium.

Kambwala made three Premier League starts last season and earned particular praise for his performance in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool in April.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has represented France at youth level and captained the under-16 side.

Centre-back is a priority position for United to strengthen this summer. The club have already held talks with Bayern Munich over a deal for Matthijs de Ligt and had two offers rejected by Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite. They are also pursuing Lille’s Leny Yoro.

Raphael Varane departed at the end of last season following the conclusion of his contract, while the club announced on Friday that defender Jonny Evans, 36, had signed a new one-year deal that runs until 2025.

(John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)