Enzo Maresca and Manchester City are reportedly among a host of clubs weighing up a move for Atletico Madrid winger Alex Baena this season.
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Manchester City spent the 48 hours before the recent summer transfer deadline reshaping their forward line, and while manager Enzo Maresca was able to bring in fresh faces, the department suffered losses as well as gains over the summer.
Omar Marmoush and Savinho both departed the Etihad Stadium for Tottenham Hotspur, with the former departing on an initial loan agreement with an obligation to buy, and the latter for a new club-record sale understood to be worth up to £85 million.
Coming the other way were Iliman Ndiaye and Allan Elias, who arrived from Everton and Palmeiras respectively. But it appears as though Manchester City remain alert to further opportunities to further bolster their attacking ranks.
Man City eye Alex Baena transfer
One name now reportedly on Manchester City's transfer radar is Alex Baena, who has made a flying start to the new campaign by scoring three goals and providing an assist in his first three games for Atletico Madrid.
It is that rich vein of form that has inevitably accelerated attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and according to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are one of a number of clubs keen on Baena, alongside Newcastle United and Aston Villa from the Premier League.
The report states that City are big admirers and are open to doing further business to strengthen their attack, with the Spain international viewed as someone capable of making an impact at the Etihad Stadium.
A January move, however, is considered ambitious, with a summer switch in 2027 seen as the more realistic route. According to the report, Baena is seen as an exciting market opportunity and clubs could establish contacts ahead of January.
After starting Spain's 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Baena became the first male footballer ever to win the World Cup, European Championships and Olympic Gold back-to-back - an impressive resume for a player who only turned 25 this summer.
Atletico Madrid to dig their heels in
Any suitor will have to overcome Atletico Madrid’s well-documented reluctance to sell. The Spanish side recently dug their heels in to keep hold of star striker Julian Alvarez amid widely reported interest from FC Barcelona, and are expected to prove equally stubborn over Alex Baena - an important figure in Diego Simeone’s side.
There is a potential silver lining for Premier League suitors, though as Atletico Madrid are said to be especially determined not to strengthen a La Liga rival, which could tilt the balance in favour of an English destination.
Manchester City are far from alone in the chase, with Newcastle - short on attacking options following Anthony Gordon’s exit - and Aston Villa, who lost Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, also keen, while Bayern Munich and other unnamed European clubs have been credited with interest.
With Atletico Madrid expected to hold firm, Alex Baena does not look likely to be in Manchester City colours any time this season. It may not be a bad idea, though, for fans of Enzo Maresca's side to remember his name.