What happened: Crystal Palace reached a verbal agreement to sign Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza, per Fabrizio Romano. He joins the club as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Celta Vigo. The sides finalized all terms within the last 48 hours.

Why it matters: The acquisition brings immediate defensive reinforcement to Crystal Palace ahead of the 2026-27 season. Landing the 27-year-old without a transfer fee secures a targeted asset after he drew reported interest from multiple Premier League clubs. The move fulfills what club sources described as a top secret target.

What to watch: The club prepares to formally announce the signing in the coming days. Mingueza will then report for preseason preparations.