Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool are among the clubs keeping tabs on Alex Baena’s situation at Villarreal, who are bracing for approaches.
According to Fichajes, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool are some of the teams from the Premier League vying for 21-year-old Spanish winger Alex Baena. The Villarreal star has exploded onto the La Liga scene this season as English clubs keep tabs on his current situation ahead of the January window.
Unai Emery is a deeply underrated manager on many counts. Over the years in football, the Basque man managed to develop some of the brightest talents there is. Before departing Villarreal, he might have given the club three prized assets Alex Baena, Samuel Chukwueze, and Yeremy Pino.
All three wide attackers have seen their stocks rise this season, especially Pino and Baena. Emery reportedly remains linked with all three of them at Aston Villa, although the interest from bigger clubs could dwarf any interest from the Midlands side.
Baena, in particular, has exploded onto the scene this season. The 21-year-old Spanish winger has 9 goals from 21 appearances in all competitions and has a great career ahead of him for the national side in the future. For now, there’s plenty of speculation at Villarreal, as many Premier League sides are beginning to chase his signature.
Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool are all interested in Baena. Villarreal remains aware of the growing reputation of the player and wants to renew his contract to improve their chances of getting a more significant fee. The 21-year-old Spanish winger has a deal until 2025 with a release clause set at €35 million.
The La Liga side will demand that sum to let him go and will come into an even stronger position if Baena renews. Villarreal knows the difficulties in convincing a player to extend when some of the biggest names are chasing after him, while the €35 million price tag will prove a snip for the Premier League sides.
Arsenal are hunting for Baena, as Mikel Arteta has a long, drawn-out list of exciting young wingers. Mykhaylo Mudryk remains their primary target, but the manager may remain open to adding talents like Baena or Pino to his squad.
Meanwhile, Liverpool were linked earlier along with Man City as Jurgen Klopp may hold a keen interest in the attacker. The German boss is open to adding talents after the departure of Sadio Mane. Additionally, for that price, the Merseysiders could become a top contender for Baena, possibly in the summer.
Finally, Chelsea are in the market for young, exciting talents across the continent. New owner Todd Boehly has earmarked making plenty of signings for the present and future. Baena could become a target, and the Blues are not about to shy away from paying the price demanded by any club for their players, let alone Villarreal.
