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Javier Ontiveros was in Vila-real today and passed his medical exam, preparatory to becoming the newest member of the Yellow Submarine. Apparently the deal is for €7m (plus €1m incentives) and he will sign, or has signed, a five-year contract.
By doing the deal now, we avoid any chance of another club snipping in and signing him when he becomes eligible to leave on a free. Hard not to see this move as insurance against the eventual departure of Samu Chukwueze, though Ontiveros can also play on the left side as an attacking midfielder.