Villarreal negotiates the signing of a forward for €20M

Artem Dovbyk has become one of the preferred names within the transfer market of Villarreal CF to strengthen a forward line that will need to deliver in a demanding season. The return to the Champions League forces the Castellón club to raise the bar and seek a striker with experience, goals, and immediate adaptation.

The Ukrainian forward, currently at AS Roma, is back on LaLiga's radar after a challenging period in Italy. His memory at Girona remains fresh: there, he was a dominant attacker, capable of making a difference and becoming one of the top scorers in the Spanish league.

Artem Dovbyk, a costly deal for Villarreal CF

The interest is there, but the deal won't be straightforward. Roma paid close to 38 million euros in fixed and variable amounts to sign Artem Dovbyk, an investment that conditions any negotiation. The club is not willing to part with the player at any cost.

Reports suggest that the Roman outfit needs to bring in around 23 million euros to prevent a negative impact on their finances and to generate a profit. This figure sets the starting point for a negotiation that has yet to see significant progress.

Villarreal CF is carefully assessing the situation. The Yellow Submarine's ideal option could involve a flexible solution, such as a loan with an option to buy, especially if AS Roma maintains a firm stance and does not lower its demands.

LaLiga remembers Artem Dovbyk's best form

Artem Dovbyk's main selling point is his previous performance in Spain. At Girona, he put up impressive numbers, with 24 goals and 8 assists in the 2023/2024 season, stats that earned him a move to Serie A and boosted his international value.

At 28 years old and 1.89 meters tall, the Ukrainian international offers a specific profile: physical power, aerial prowess, the ability to hold off defenders, and a constant presence in the penalty area. He's precisely the type of striker who can provide different solutions when playing every three days.

La Cerámica also appreciates that he wouldn't require a long adaptation process to LaLiga. He understands the pace of the league, knows how to exploit spaces, and has already shown that he can produce impressive numbers given the right circumstances. For Villarreal, this detail holds significant weight.

AS Roma opens the door but won't give the forward away

Artem Dovbyk's last season in Italy was highly inconsistent. Injuries and lack of playing time limited his appearances to just 627 minutes across all competitions, a very low figure for a player signed as an attacking reference.

This situation has opened the door to a potential exit, although AS Roma remains convinced that the striker still has market value. In addition to Villarreal CF, Real Betis has inquired about his situation, and there are reports from Germany of a Bundesliga club monitoring his movements.

Real Betis sees him as a striker ready to lead a European project, although his wages and transfer fee complicate any deal. Villarreal, on the other hand, offers the allure of the Champions League and a clear need to boost their attacking prowess.

The outcome will depend on Roma's stance and the ability of interested clubs to meet the demanded figures. Artem Dovbyk remains a risky bet due to his recent season, but also a clear opportunity to reintroduce a goalscorer who has already proven he can make a difference in LaLiga.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Villarreal negocia el fichaje de un delantero de 20M€