It’s been a busy week for Villarreal, at least in terms of outgoings. Ben Brereton Diaz and Filip Jorgensen have both departed for the Premier League, signing for Southampton and Chelsea respectively – they will soon be joined by Jorge Cuenca, who’s set to make the move to Fulham.
Cuenca’s departure is not official yet, but in the meantime, Villarreal have announced the exit of a separate defender: Aissa Mandi. The 32-year-old Algerian centre-back, who made 79 appearances for the Yellow Submarine during his three-year stay, was not in Marcelino Garcia Toral’s plans for the new season, and the decision has been taken to mutually terminate his contract.
COMUNICADO OFICIAL: @aissamandi23
El Villarreal y Mandi han llegado a un acuerdo para la rescisión del contrato del central, que se desvincula de la entidad amarilla.
El club agradece su profesionalidad durante sus tres temporadas en Vila-real y le desea suerte en el futuro. pic.twitter.com/LeYXsZQ99G
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) August 1, 2024
Hours after the announcement, Mandi signed for Lille. He’s penned a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 side.
Le LOSC officialise aujourd’hui l’arrivée du défenseur polyvalent, Aïssa Mandi (32 ans), en provenance du Villarreal CF (Espagne). L’international algérien (97 sélections, 5 buts) s’est engagé avec le club lillois pour une durée de 2 ans, soit jusqu’en 2026.
Bienvenue au LOSC… pic.twitter.com/Q2zfXLzLlx
— LOSC (@losclive) August 1, 2024
Mandi’s departure increased the need for a new centre-back. One was already being sought because of Cuenca’s impending departure, so it could be that two end up arriving at Villarreal before the closing of the summer transfer window.
