Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Aston Villa could launch bid for £51m winger who Arsenal have been scouting recently
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been scouting Alex Baena, but it is Unai Emery’s Aston Villa who are showing more concrete interest in the winger.
That is according to , which has mentioned two other big Premier League clubs who are interested in Baena.
So, what has been reported about Arsenal and Aston Villa target Alex Baena? Let’s take a look.
Aston Villa could bid for Arsenal target Alex Baena
Well, according to , Aston Villa and Arsenal are interested in signing Villarreal winger Alex Baena. Liverpool and Manchester City are also showing interest in the 22-year-old.
The report has noted that Villa, Arsenal, Liverpool and City all have scouted the winger over the past 12 months. Baena, who can also operate as an attacking midfielder, has a release clause of £51 million in his contract at Villarreal.
90min has claimed that Villa “are ready to step up their interest” in Baena and could make a bid for him in the January transfer window.
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery worked with Baena at Villarreal, and he has already told his Villa bosses about trying to get a deal done for the Spain international winger.
Aston Villa could beat Arsenal to Baena
In my view, Aston Villa could be able to beat Arsenal to the signing of Alex Baena in the January transfer window. I suspect that Emery would love it.
First of all, Villa manager Emery knows the winger well. He could be able to persuade the youngster to make the move to Villa Park.
Secondly, Villa have a good working relationship with Villarreal. After all, they took both Emery and Pau Torres from the Spanish club.
Then, of course, there is the small matter of Villa pushing the boat out for a wide player to enhance their chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League table this season.
The Villans are doing extremely well at the moment, and perhaps the club’s bosses would not mind splashing out £51 million on a 22-year-old in January if it helps them achieve success at the end of the season.
Arsenal, who will face Villa in the Premier League this weekend, are well stocked on the flanks and are not in desperate need of another winger, especially one who is 22 and would cost £51 million.
Baena has scored one goal and given five assists in 13 La Liga matches and has scored two goals and provided one assist in five UEFA Europa League appearances this season.