Villarreal update: Key player ruled out for two months with three more signings expected

Villarreal suffered a cruel blow as the season approached, with key defender Juan Foyth ruled out with a knee problem.

The Argentine defender has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, and his left knee has caused problems again, having left a pre-season friendly against Nottingham Forest injured at the weekend. Brand say it's a medial ligament problem, and it will keep him out for about two months. Clearly, this is bad news, but at least he escaped the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament tear, which he was worried about.

Meanwhile in the transfer market, the same outlet say they want to bring at least three more signings before the end of the transfer window. The exit of Alexander Sorloth means the Yellow Submarine needs a new striker, with Borja Mayoral now in doubt for injury problems. Chelsea's Datro Fofana and Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko are alternatives.

Marcelino Garcia Toral also wants another centre-back after signing Willy Kambwala and Eric Bailly from Manchester United earlier this year. They were hoping to sign Yerson Mosquera from Wolves, but it looks like they've given up on him. RB Salzburg's Oumar Soulet and Barcelona's Clement Lenglet are on their list. Finally, with Filip Jorgensen leaving for Chelsea, Marcelino needs someone to compete with Diego Conde.

After a tough season that left them out of Europe, Villarreal have sold a total of €73m so far this transfer window, spending just €14m. Three of their signings have been free agents, including Sergi Cardona, Pape Gueye and Nicolas Pepe most recently. It will certainly be interesting to see how Marcelino fares without their star striker.