Villarreal CF want to sign LA Galaxy $22 million-rated star

Riqui Puig from LA Galaxy has now been linked to a potential return to Spain, with Villarreal CF reportedly showing interest.

After being hailed as one of Spain's brightest football talents, Riqui Puig’s career took a surprising turn when, at just 23 years old, he made the bold decision to join LA Galaxy.

With FC Barcelona no longer counting on him, the talented midfielder chose an unconventional path for young European players by moving to MLS.

Since his arrival, Riqui Puig has firmly established himself as one of the MLS's standout stars, even drawing attention from European clubs.

Villarreal CF want to sign LA Galaxy $22 million-rated star

As 2025 approaches, a year expected to bring significant shifts in LaLiga EA Sports, Puig has been linked to a potential move back to Spain, with Villarreal CF reportedly showing interest, according to Gol Digital.

One of the catalysts for this speculation is Alex Baena, Villarreal’s current standout player, who has enjoyed a phenomenal start to the season.

After winning the Euros and the Olympics, Baena has solidified his reputation as one of football’s rising stars. His performances have not gone unnoticed by top European clubs, many of which are reportedly willing to pay his €60 million release clause.

With Baena’s potential departure on the horizon, Villarreal is already eyeing possible replacements, and Riqui Puig has emerged as one of the top candidates.

His play style and his experience make him an ideal fit for the Yellow Submarine. However, securing his transfer would not be easy, or cheap. Puig's market value has been on the rise due to his stellar performances in the MLS.

A few months ago, LA Galaxy extended Riqui Puig’s contract until 2027, underscoring their commitment to keeping the player. This contract extension complicates any potential transfer, as the Galaxy will be reluctant to part ways with one of their biggest stars. Should a deal materialize, the transfer fee could be substantial.

At present, Puig’s market value stands at €15 million, but it is expected to increase. LA Galaxy would likely demand upwards of €20 million for the Spanish midfielder.

Losing Puig would undoubtedly be a tough blow for LA Galaxy. It's really hard to know if this is a real possibility, as the player has said both that he'd like to return to Europe and that he's very comfortable and happy in Los Angeles.

Therefore, no scenario can be ruled out. Besides Villarreal, Puig has also been linked with Girona, Valencia, and even FC Barcelona.

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