Aston Villa are ready to battle Arsenal for Villarreal’s 21-year-old Spanish winger Alex Baena, with the presence of Unai Emery considered key.
According to Fichajes, Alex Baena emerges as a target for Aston Villa, as new manager Unai Emery is keen to bring the 21-year-old Spanish winger. The Premier League side may have to battle Arsenal for the attacker’s signature, who also has interest from clubs in the continent.
Alex Baena is having a tremendous season at Villarreal. After understanding the game’s structure and grasping the tactical nous from the periphery, the 21-year-old Spanish winger exploded onto the big scene.
He has repaid the faith placed in him with 8-goals and 4-assists across all competitions for Villarreal. As his stock keeps rising, there’s plenty of interest from teams in the continent. Some big clubs from the Premier League continue to keep tabs as the Spanish giants are under some pressure.
There’s also interest in another Villarreal star Yeremy Pino, with Arsenal as one of the chief suitors. The Spanish side may not want to lose both their promising wingers to the Premier League, particularly Baena. Hence, they are trying to extend his deal beyond the current one that expires in 2025.
Moreover, the 21-year-old Spanish winger has a modest €35 million release clause, which Villarreal are trying to increase. If Baena refuses to sign a new deal, the Spanish side could sell him, as Arsenal are showing an interest.
Mikel Arteta wants a winger in the next window and remains linked with several top names. Baena is a player of interest after the Gunners kept tabs on his development. The Gunners are not alone in the pursuit, as Aston Villa emerge as contenders for the 21-year-old Spanish winger.
Villa have had a disastrous start, and goals have dried up. They may have a few notable strikers in the squad, but there’s a visible lack of wide attackers in the ranks. Ollie Watkins often plays in those positions, and the club seeks correct options to shore up the areas.
While Villa are up against the massive clubs in the hunt for Baena, they may have a big task ahead. Yet they remain confident owing to the presence of Unai Emery. He was recently appointed to the manager’s post following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.
Emery knows the player well and could allow him to continue his development under the Basque manager. It could also give him a proper adaptation period in English football, with regular game time. He may not find himself starting at some of the bigger sides, which may be vital before making a decision.
