Villarreal have reportedly named their asking price for highly-coveted talent Alex Baena with Aston Villa and Alex Baena interested.
According to Fichajes, Alex Baena could cost a sum of €45 million next summer, which does rule out a potential move for the attacking star in this month’s window. Aston Villa and Newcastle United are among those interested and might show an inclination towards making an approach.
Alex Baena has been one of the highly-coveted players in La Liga, with a host of clubs interested in taking him away from Villarreal. For starters, Atletico Madrid are already prepared to make an approach this month, although Villarreal are not considering a sale this time, as it will hamper their chances of making it into the top four.
In any case, Baena has a €60 million release clause as per the report, which could be triggered by clubs in theory this month and sign the Spanish international. Instead, Villarreal would be open to negotiating the price for the player in the summer, with suggestions he could be made available for €45 million.
Apart from Atletico, there are some clubs interested in the Premier League, including Aston Villa. Unai Emery knows Baena all too well, having worked with him when he was Villarreal’s manager. He had been linked with bringing the Spanish international to Birmingham, although that move might materialise next season.
Aston Villa could view Baena as a long-term replacement for Emi Buendia, with Argentina struggling for game time as he does not fit into what Emery wants. They also have a decent relationship with Villarreal having signed Pau Torres previously for a price which was considerably lower than the release clause.
Newcastle United angling Alex Baena’s move
There were suggestions earlier that Newcastle United could trigger Baena’s release clause, which would have given Villarreal no choice but to accept their fate, provided the attacker also wanted the same. The Magpies are certainly interested, and since they are coping very hard with PSR obligations, the reduced asking price would be welcome news for those in charge at the club.
In any case, Baena seems ready for a bigger step up, although it remains to be seen whether he makes a move to the Premier Lague or joins one of the big Spanish sides like Atletico. A move this month seems out of the question, although it’s still a big possibility should any club trigger his release clause.
