Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba is set to join Villarreal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. This move will see Saliba become the third Canadian player at the LaLiga club, joining international teammates Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi.

Transfer Details

Villarreal will pay a fee of €15 million to Anderlecht for the 22-year-old, who has been with the Belgian club for just over a year. Saliba made the switch to Anderlecht from CF Montreal last June, after making a name for himself in the MLS. During his time in Belgium, he has made 50 appearances, scoring five goals and providing two assists. Prior to his move to Europe, he had two goals and an assist in 78 matches for Montreal. Notably, Montreal will receive a percentage of the transfer fee, benefiting from Saliba's successful transition to European football.

International Impact

Saliba's performances have also earned him a place in Canada’s World Cup squad this summer, where he scored once and assisted twice in three matches. His standout moment came during a 6-0 victory over Qatar, where he scored a stunning free kick shortly after coming on as a substitute for the injured Ismaël Koné. Saliba's contributions are expected to play a significant role in Jesse Marsch's plans for the national team as they look ahead to the next four-year cycle.

Although Saliba was absent from the squad that secured a 3-0 win against Kairat Almaty in the Europa League qualifier, he had started both of Anderlecht's Belgian Pro League matches this season. His recent performances have drawn attention, especially as Villarreal considered other options, including Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai.