Celta Vigo faces a pivotal decision this summer transfer window after Aston Villa tabled a €17.7 million bid for Ilaix Moriba, the 23-year-old midfielder. The English club’s interest arrives as the Galician side, which finished sixth in La Liga’s 2025/26 season with 54 points, weighs every offer for its top assets.
Why Aston Villa wants Moriba
Aston Villa needs to shore up its midfield after Youri Tielemans’ exit and Amadou Onana’s injury. A SportsMole report dated 19 July 2026 states the Villans see Moriba as the ideal profile to fill the Belgian’s void. The Guinean, who scored 53 goals and conceded 48 (+5 goal difference) across 38 matches last season, fits Unai Emery’s blueprint for his squad.
Moriba, capped by Guinea, has been a cornerstone for Celta Vigo in 2025/26. Still under contract until 2027, the midfielder has averaged 1.4 goals per 90 minutes, making him a tantalizing offensive option for any Premier League side.
Why Celta Vigo may rebuff the bid
Despite Aston Villa’s offer, insiders say Celta Vigo has yet to agree on price. The club, 40 points behind Barcelona last term, isn’t rushing to sell Moriba. The midfielder remains one of the team’s top scorers, and his departure could disrupt Coudet’s possession-based project for 2026/27.
Club brass prefers to wait for higher bids before acting. Moriba, meanwhile, stays central to Eduardo Coudet’s plans, which prioritize build-up play and verticality.
What’s next for Celta Vigo
With the 2026/27 season looming, Celta Vigo must finalize its transfer strategy. The team, which opens its campaign away at Athletic Club on 21 February 2027, still has room to negotiate, but time is short. For now, Moriba remains untouchable in the first team, yet Aston Villa’s interest has sparked debate over his future at Balaídos.
