Villarreal B coach Miguel Álvarez has backed Leeds United striker Rafa Mújica to be a big success at Real Oviedo after joining the Spanish side on loan.
The striker joined the Spanish side on a season-long loan deal this week, with the newly promoted English side having made it clear he is not part of their plans once again.
It is the 21-year-old’s third loan deal since moving to Elland Road from Barcelona on a free transfer, with him spending last season with Extremadura UD and Villarreal CF B respectively.
His time with the latter in the second half of last season proved particularly successful as he established himself as a key player for the club, scoring four goals in seven games in Group 3 in the Segunda División B.
Álvarez was undoubtedly impressed by what he saw, saying he believes the striker grew up during his short stint with them.
“Mújica is a boy who knew about Barcelona. Being a youth, he already played in the subsidiary,” he told Cadena Ser.
“I loved him, and last season I had the opportunity to have him. It was a short time, but very satisfying.
“I think he also left here very satisfied because I think he grew up in football. He is a player that I say is from the street, who has many records.”
Leeds will certainly hope that is the case, with this latest move to Oviedo including a purchase clause they presumably want to be activated come the end of the season.
For that to happen, Mújica will have to prove as big a hit as he did with Villarreal and score the goals to help Oviedo improve on their 15th place finish last season.
Álvarez is of no doubt that will happen, adding he thinks the Leeds forward that could make it on the ‘elite’ level.
“He is a boy who has enough capacity to play for Oviedo and higher,” he added.
“In the young teams, their numbers at the level of goals are not many, but as soon as they reach maturity, at 26 or 27 years old, they really have very good numbers at the level of efficiency.
“I believe he will be a player that we will see soon in the elite. If Leeds has signed him, it will be for something.”
