According to Sport, Villarreal closed its summer transfer window in a markedly different fashion from previous seasons, with this year proving remarkably quiet for the Yellow Submarine. The club made no major sales, conducted no panic operations in the final moments, and retained its squad core entirely, banking on continuity to navigate a demanding new campaign.

Throughout the summer, Pape Gueye was linked with a departure, but as the window progressed, he ultimately secured his stay. Club management, Negueroles, stated at the beginning of summer that the squad needed to preserve its key assets and avoid large-scale rebuilding—an objective that has been achieved.

The Biggest Acquisition: The Coaching Staff. Iñigo Pérez Takes the Helm

The most significant change for the club this summer actually concerns the coaching staff, with Iñigo Pérez representing the Yellow Submarine's top recruitment priority. Despite failing to win in the first three league matches, the Navarrese coach has already demonstrated his footballing philosophy: stronger team control, more aggressive pressing, and attacking flair. However, finishing efficiency in front of goal remains lacking, preventing them from securing their first victory.

Just Two New Signings, Returning Loanees, and Youth Promotions

This summer, the first team acquired just two new players: Gulacsi and Salis Sehovic. Carlos Romero returned to the squad following successful loan spells at Espanyol and will become an important rotation option.

Goalkeeper Diego Conde transferred to Real Betis, and Arnau Tenas departed for Mallorca, leaving the Yellow Submarine in need of an experienced goalkeeper to compete with Luis Júnior. Hungarian goalkeeper Gulacsi joined as a result, though he has yet to make his official debut.

The club's largest investment was spending €15 million to recruit Canadian midfielder Salis Sehovic from Anderlecht. The Yellow Submarine has tracked him across several transfer windows, and he will bring competition to midfield, forming a rotation with Pape Gueye and Santi Comesaña.

Following Parejo and Thomas's departures, two highly promising youngsters, Carlos Maciá and Alassane Diatta, were formally promoted to the first team. Additionally, Ilias Akhomach returned following his loan spell at Rayo Vallecano, whose coach is notably current Villarreal boss Iñigo Pérez.

Departures: No High-Value Transfer Sales

Similarly, no major outgoings materialised. Traoré moved to Getafe for €2.5 million; Kambuaya was loaned to Como with a non-binding €10 million purchase option; Álex Forés transferred to Burgos for approximately €400,000; and Alfonso Pedraza left as a free agent.

Contrast with Last Summer: No Need to Sell Key Players for Funds

This stands in stark contrast to last summer's window. Previously, the Yellow Submarine completed three major sales: Álex Baena joined Atlético Madrid for €42 million, Yeremy Pino departed for Crystal Palace at €30 million, and Thierno Barry transferred to Everton for €30 million. Total revenues exceeded €100 million, funds that enabled signings like Mikautadze, Renato Veiga, and Alberto Moleiro.

The summer 2024 window tells a different story. There was no need to sell key players; only targeted reinforcements were pursued, fully preserving a squad capable of achieving strong results across La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.

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