Congolese defender Willy Kambwala set for Como move

France international of DR Congo descent Willy Kambwala is on the verge of joining Italian Serie A side Como after the club reached a verbal agreement with Villarreal over a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old centre-back is expected to spend the 2026/27 campaign in Italy as he looks to take another important step in his developing career.

According to reports, Como and Villarreal have agreed in principle on a loan arrangement that will include a non-binding option for the Italian club to sign Kambwala permanently.

Under the proposed agreement, Como would have the opportunity to retain the defender at the end of the loan spell for a fee of €10 million. However, the option is not obligatory, meaning the Serie A club will be under no obligation to make the transfer permanent.

Kambwala remains under contract with Villarreal until 2029, but his imminent departure would bring an end, at least temporarily, to his time with the Spanish club.

The defender joined Villarreal after leaving Manchester United and has spent the past two seasons in Spain, gaining valuable experience in La Liga. A move to Como would now present him with the opportunity to test himself in another of Europe’s major leagues.

The transfer is particularly significant for Kambwala as it would see him add Serie A to a growing list of top-level European competitions in which he has played.

Having previously featured in the Premier League with Manchester United before moving to La Liga with Villarreal, the defender is now poised to experience Italian football for the first time.

Como are continuing to work on the final details of the agreement before the transfer can be officially completed. Once the formalities are concluded, Kambwala is expected to link up with the Serie A side ahead of the new campaign.

For the defender, the move could provide an opportunity to secure more regular playing time and continue developing his defensive game in a league renowned for its tactical demands.

At Como, Kambwala will hope to establish himself quickly and convince the club’s hierarchy that he deserves a permanent place in their plans beyond the 2026/27 season.

If the Italian club ultimately decide to exercise the €10 million option, the former Manchester United defender would make a permanent return to Italy and continue his career in Serie A.

For now, however, Kambwala’s immediate focus will be on completing the move and preparing for a new challenge in Italian football.