Villarreal has a clear replacement for Parejo

The Castellon team is scouring the market in search of a profile similar to that of the midfielder, who left for free after his contract expired.

Mario Roldán Martínez | 16 Jul 2026 | 15.30
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Dani Parejo leaves Villarreal on a free transfer / Imago
Dani Parejo leaves Villarreal on a free transfer / Imago

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16/08/26 17:00:00
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The Villarreal transfer market remains very quiet, although there is one position that needs to be reinforced no matter what. The departure of Dani Parejo, who left the club after his contract expired, forces the sports management to find a midfielder capable of assuming the leadership that the Madrid-born player exerted for six seasons. It will not be an easy task, as the Spanish international became the true brain of the team thanks to his quality in distribution and his ability to set the pace of the matches.

The exit of the veteran midfielder leaves a void both in terms of football and leadership within the dressing room. For this reason, Villarreal is already working on different alternatives to strengthen a position considered absolutely crucial before the end of the summer transfer window. Among the names that have gained strength are Aleix Garcia, currently at Bayer Leverkusen, and Javi Guerra, one of the emerging stars of Valencia.

Both profiles meet different needs, but share a fundamental characteristic: the ability to organize the game from the midfield and provide balance in offensive construction. The sports management is analyzing both options before making a final decision.

Parejo leaves a very difficult legacy to replace at Villarreal

The importance of Parejo at Villarreal has been enormous since his arrival in the summer of 2020. The midfielder played more than 250 official matches in the yellow shirt, won the Europa League, and became one of the most decisive players in the team thanks to his vision and extraordinary passing precision.

During the past season, he once again demonstrated his influence in midfield, leading the ball distribution and maintaining a high accuracy percentage. However, the club decided not to renew his contract, a decision that now requires finding a replacement with a very specific profile.

Villarreal's priority is not only to incorporate talent but also to find a player capable of taking on responsibilities in organizing the game and being a reference within the midfield.

Aleix Garcia, experience and knowledge of positional football

One of the most well-positioned candidates is Aleix Garcia. The Catalan midfielder, 29 years old, currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, but his name is gaining prominence again in Spanish football after a period of constant growth.

Aleix Garcia is pleasing to Iñigo Pérez / Sefutbol

Before his move to Germany, Aleix was a fundamental part of Girona, standing out for his ability to direct play, break lines with passing, and maintain a high circulation rate. It is precisely this organizing profile that fits the needs of Villarreal.

However, the operation would not be easy. Bayer Leverkusen made a significant investment to sign him, and would only consider a departure if they receive a financially convincing offer.

Javi Guerra represents the future bet

The second major alternative is Javi Guerra, one of the most promising players in Spanish football. The 23-year-old Valencia midfielder has undergone a very remarkable evolution in recent seasons and is already among the most sought-after players in LaLiga.

Unlike Parejo, Guerra offers a more dynamic and physical profile. His ability to break lines with dribbling and reach the opponent's area complements good technical quality, although he still needs to continue improving in managing game tempo.

This mix of present and future makes the Valencian a very attractive target for Villarreal, which seeks to rejuvenate its squad without losing competitiveness. However, his signing would also require a significant investment due to Valencia's valuation of one of their main assets, around 30 million euros.

Villarreal seeks a leader for its new project

The departure of Parejo obliges Villarreal to redefine the balance of its midfield. The yellow club wants to continue betting on a playing style based on ball control and build-up from the back, so the profile of the new midfielder is crucial for the success of the project.

Aleix Garcia offers a more immediate solution thanks to his experience and knowledge of associative football. In contrast, Javi Guerra would bring youth, mobility, and significant room for growth, although his adaptation to a role of maximum responsibility might require a little more time.

The sports management continues to evaluate both options while exploring other alternatives in the European market. It is not ruled out that new candidates may emerge in the coming weeks, especially if unexpected movements occur in other clubs.

What seems clear is that Villarreal cannot afford to face the season without a reliable replacement for Parejo. The choice between Aleix Garcia, Javi Guerra, or another midfielder will shape a significant part of the team's sporting future, as they need to rebuild one of the most important positions in their starting eleven to continue competing for European spots.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Villarreal tiene claro el sustituto de Parejo