Villarreal aims to remain active in the summer transfer market. Following the addition of Ayoze, the club is still looking to sign three more players, with a strong emphasis on acquiring a central striker.
With the recent departures of key players, Villarreal needs a fast forward to fill the significant void left by Sørloth, who signed with Atlético after a full season in the yellow jersey.
Historically, Marcelino has favored a supporting striker alongside a forward with speed, finishing ability, and technical skills to fit into his preferred formation (4-4-2).
Ayoze could potentially serve as one of the supporting strikers alongside Gerard Moreno. The remaining question is, who will be the attacking partner?
A player once again on the club's radar is Moukoko from Dortmund. His transfer to Marseille seemed imminent, but (according to Fabrizio Romano) the deal with Marseille was cancelled for unknown reasons.
So who is Moukoko?
Moukoko is a young 19-year-old forward currently playing for Dortmund. Born in Cameroon, he grew up in Germany. He has progressed through the youth ranks of the national team, making his debut in 2017 with the U16 team. He became the youngest German player to debut for the national team at the age of 18.
The question many are asking is, why is Dortmund willing to let this talented young forward go?
It has been speculated that the young German forward is unhappy with his current situation at the club. The main issue suggested by the media is that Moukoko desires more playing time. Despite appearing in up to 17 league matches last season, he averaged only 32 minutes per game. This is the primary reason he is pushing for a transfer.
Profile Youssoufa Moukoko:
Height: 1.79 m
Foot: Left-handed
Age 19
Position: Front center
Club: Dortmund
Expiration of the contract: 30 June 2026
Nationality: German/Cameroonian
Strengths and weaknesses of Moukoko
Strengths
- Finishing Ability: Moukoko has a natural knack for scoring goals. He has netted 5 goals in 625 minutes, having started only 4 matches throughout the season. He scores approximately every 125 minutes. In his young career so far, he has scored 160 goals in 189 matches, spanning from his youth career with the national team to his current club. 50% of his shots are on target.
- Speed and Technical Skill: He combines great speed with technical skill in ball control and dribbling. His top speed has been recorded at 33 km/h.
- Work Ethic: Moukoko works hard for his teammates. He tracks back and pressures defenders, making it difficult for them to build play. He prefers to play alongside a supporting forward with whom he can execute wall passes.
Weaknesses:
- Injury History: Moukoko has faced injuries in his short career, ranging from knee issues to hamstring problems. He has struggled with injuries every season since the 2017/18 campaign, which could be a concern for potential suitors.
- Inexperience: Despite his goal-scoring record, Moukoko lacks experience at the highest level. He needs stability and confidence to develop further. His inexperience often shows in matches, with tendencies to overplay or take excessive touches.
Conclusion
On paper, Moukoko fits Marcelino's profile well. He is young, strong, fast, and has the potential to become a top striker. Marcelino desires forwards with skills similar to this young prospect. It is rumored that Dortmund is willing to let him go for a figure around €20 million, which is the amount Villarreal was prepared to pay for Mayoral.
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