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After failing to sign Joan Garcia and Sverre Nypan, Aston Villa now miss out on player Unai Emery has wanted since 2023
TBR Football can now exclusively share a transfer update from Aston Villa, and unfortunately, there is more bad news for Unai Emery.
We understand Aston Villa wanted to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol amid doubts over the future of Emiliano Martinez – even making the Spaniard an offer – but he has opted for Barcelona instead.
Now, TBR Football understand a player Unai Emery and Monchi – President of Football Operations at Villa Park – have been pushing to sign for two years is also set to reject a move to Aston Villa in Alex Baena.
Atletico Madrid close to finalising Alex Baena deal
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at TBR Football – has now been told that Atletico Madrid are close to signing the Spain international after agreeing personal terms with the attacking midfielder, despite strong interest from the Villans.
We understand Emery asked Aston Villa to sign Baena in April 2024 – having previously worked with the Spaniard at Villarreal – and was also interested in the 12 months preceding that date.
| Coach | Games | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unai Emery | 37 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1,847 |
Sources add that Arsenal and Chelsea also looked at the Villarreal No.16 closely across the past year.
Aston Villa also tried to sign Baena in January 2025 – and he was open to moving to the Midlands.
However, Emery is now set to miss out to Atletico Madrid on the man who scored ten goals in 37 appearances under his tutelage in Spain, to add a further stain on what has been a frustrating summer for Aston Villa so far.
Sverre Nypan has also left Aston Villa in “shock” as Manchester City move nears
Emery and Monchi may have to turn to plan B this summer, as another target is moving elsewhere.
Sverre Nypan ≈ Jude Bellingham 😉
— Rosenborg Ballklub (@RBKfotball)
Årets siste RBK-scoring og en liten Bellingham-feiring på sin plass for årets unge spiller i Eliteserien🌪️
The aforementioned Bailey adds that Aston Villa have been left in “shock” after Manchester City agreed terms with Sverre Nypan – a player the Villans thoroughly expected to join them this summer in a move from Rosenborg.
Aston Villa felt they had managed to convince the Norwegian to wait for them, but have been caught off guard as Manchester City now swoop in.