Karl Etta Eyong’s breakout season with Villarreal’s reserve team has propelled him into the spotlight, but uncertainty now clouds the 21-year-old striker’s future at the Spanish club.
With first-team opportunities appearing limited, interest is mounting from several European sides eager to secure the services of one of the Primera Federación’s most prolific young forwards.
The Cameroonian striker arrived at Villarreal in August 2024 from Cádiz and wasted no time making his mark. Featuring for the club’s B team in Spain’s third tier, Etta Eyong delivered a sensational campaign, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals and adding six assists to his tally.
His consistency and composure in front of goal didn’t go unnoticed. Villarreal’s senior coaching staff soon rewarded his efforts with a call-up to the first team, where he made an immediate impact—scoring a crucial goal in a key victory over Girona that secured the club’s place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Despite this breakthrough, head coach Marcelino appears unconvinced about Etta Eyong’s readiness to play a prominent role in Villarreal’s plans for the 2025–26 season.
The manager is believed to favour more experienced options in attack, casting doubt over the youngster’s prospects at the Estadio de la Cerámica. As a result, the possibility of a summer move is gaining traction.
French side Toulouse FC is reportedly among the most eager suitors. The Ligue 1 outfit, which concluded its season in 10th place, is aiming to reinforce its forward line and has identified Etta Eyong as a player with untapped potential.
Known for its analytically driven recruitment strategy, Toulouse sees the striker as an ideal candidate for development within its forward-thinking project.
However, the competition for his signature is not limited to France. In Spain, Real Betis, Getafe, and Valladolid are all monitoring Etta Eyong’s situation closely.
Each of these clubs could offer him varying levels of top-flight exposure and tactical fit, potentially providing a more stable route to regular playing time than remaining at Villarreal.
For Etta Eyong, the coming months will be decisive. At a pivotal point in his career, the Cameroonian must weigh the benefits of staying and fighting for a place in a Champions League-bound squad against the promise of consistent minutes elsewhere.
With the Cameroon national team also watching his progress, his next move could shape both his club trajectory and his international future.
The summer transfer window now looms large for a player whose ascent this past season has been nothing short of remarkable.
Whether he stays in Spain or embarks on a new chapter abroad, Etta Eyong’s decision is poised to be a turning point in what could become a significant career at both club and national level.
