Spanish midfield maestro Alex Baena has revealed his future destination if he ever decides to part ways with Villarreal.
Both Arsenal and Aston Villa heavily scouted the 23-year-old during Spain’s UEFA Nations League clash against Denmark last month. The English giants are serious contenders in this race, but the attacking midfielder has made his intentions clear regarding his dream club. He wants to join a top ten team in the world.
Alex Baena since start of last LaLiga season:
25 G/A
6 goals
19 assists pic.twitter.com/R8JqWDjZSb
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 15, 2024
Arsenal have chased Premier League champions Manchester City very closely in the past two seasons. They have been better than them this term but are yet to outpace Liverpool.
Still, we can see that he was performing well in the Premier League and is making light work of the UEFA Champions League’s new format. They are on par with Barcelona and Bayern Munich but are surely better than Paris Saint-Germain.
MUST READ: Inter Milan defender snubs Arsenal’s advances yet again: Reports
The Gunners bossed against the French champions in their UCL meet. Hence, it is easier to say that the North London outfit can be kept as a top ten team.
However, the same can’t be said for Aston Villa, even though they are currently playing their best football under Unai Emery. They defeated Bayern Munich and also snatched a point off Juventus.
Still, even a hardcore Villa fan will find it hard to argue that they can be placed anywhere in the top ten. Even if these discussions don’t matter to Barna, it does matter which of these suitors has the best chance to land him.
DO ARSENAL FIT INTO ALEX BAENA PLANS?
Embed from Getty Images
While talking to Ondo Cero before Villarreal’s game against La Liga foes Real Betis on Sunday, the midfielder didn’t name Arsenal as his preferred club but hinted that he wants to move to a top ten team anytime in the future.
He said:
“I try not to look too much at what people say, although I do get [of the rumours sent to me]. What I’m focused on is finishing the season at Villarreal and staying here, because that’s where I’m happiest.”
“I’m thinking about what I have to do now. I’ve always said that, to leave Villarreal, it has to be a better team. And, for me, that has to be a top ten team in the world.”
“Villarreal is the club of my life and, if one day that offer comes, we’ll sit down and talk and see what’s best for both of us.”
Baena is grabbing a lot of attention due to his spectacular form for his parent club in the past two seasons. He provided a mammoth 18 assists last season and already has nine goal contributions in 15 games.
Alex Baena 35m release clause
No BRAINER pic.twitter.com/jCY5MK8qew
— Professor Hamza Ballon Dor (@mancityhardcore) December 15, 2024
It looks like the young Spanish star is ready to take over the mantle as the Premier League’s finest playmaker. He can be a perfect heir to Martin Ødegaard, and Arsenal will be targeting him next summer.
MUST READ: How could Arsenal lineup to face Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-final?
They have shortlisted other candidates such as Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler. But we expect them to go after Baena due to a mediocre £50 million release clause in his current contract.
It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal are the ‘top ten team’ to win this high-octane transfer clash.
Related Items:Alex Baena, Aston Villa, Unai Emery, Villarreal
Recommended for you
Jhon-Duran-Arsenal Jhon-Duran-Arsenal
Arsenal deny approaching Aston Villa star as striker hunt intensifies
Jhon-Duran-Arsenal Jhon-Duran-Arsenal
Arsenal target in-form Aston Villa ace in January as Viktor Gyokeres alternative
David-Raya-Arsenal-impact David-Raya-Arsenal-impact
WATCH: David Raya’s 5 best saves for Arsenal that will blow your mind
Click to comment