Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Villarreal winger Alex Baena next year after identifying him as a potential alternative to Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk.
It has been claimed that Mudryk's price tag of £44.6million is too high for the Gunners, leading them to look at Baena instead, although Mikel Arteta’s side will have to compete with three other Premier League rivals for his signature. It has been reported that reigning champions Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are all keeping tabs on the youngster.
But who exactly is Alex Baena? Mirror Football tells you all you need to know about the European hotshot, including who he is, his career so far and what’s been said about him.
Who is Alex Baena?
Baena plays as a left-winger for La Liga outfit Villarreal, having graduated through their academy since joining the set-up in 2011, aged 10-years-old, and has amassed a total of 32 appearances for the Yellow Submarine during his senior career so far.
Born on July 20, 2001 in Roquetas de Mar, Spain, the 21-year-old joined his hometown club Roquetas in 2007, before moving to Villarreal four years later. Since then, he has featured for the B and C teams, ahead of his senior breakthrough in 2020. He has recently returned from a season-long loan spell at Girona, who he helped achieve promotion to La Liga.
On the international stage, Baena has featured for Spain’s youth sides since 2017, when he made his first appearance for the under-16s. Since then, he has played for the U17, U18, U19 and U20 teams, and is now an U21 international after making his debut earlier this year.
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Career so far
Having made 23 appearances for Villarreal B during the 2019-20 season, Baena was awarded his first two appearances for the senior team during the same campaign. The following season, he featured more regularly and amassed 20 appearances across all competitions, grabbing two goals and four assists, and helped his side win the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League.
Last season, however, Baena was sent out on a season-long loan to Segunda Division outfit Girona and became an influential part of the side as they won promotion to La Liga via the play-offs, with the 21-year-old contributing with five goals and seven assists in 45 games across all competitions.
On his return to Villarreal this season, Baena’s career has exploded into life after recording six goals and two assists in just 10 games, with just four of those coming as starts in the Europa League qualifiers and group stage. His three goals in La Liga, which included two in a 3-0 victory on the opening weekend, have all come from the bench.
What’s been said?
Spanish outlet Sport have reported that Arsenal boss Arteta is keeping tabs on his Spanish compatriot Baena after his stunning start to the season, with the Gunners fully aware that he will cost less than Ukraine winger Mudryk, who is valued at just shy of £45m by Shakhtar.
The Yellow Submarine academy graduate is under contract in Spain until 2025, having extended his current deal in November 2020, but is available for £31m due to the release clause in his contract. However, Villarreal are desperate to avoid losing Baena and are planning to open talks to extend his stay beyond 2025.
There is a small boost for Arsenal and the rest of the chasing pack, though. According to Marca, Unai Emery has reaffirmed his commitment to keeping striker Nicolas Jackson, who was promoted to the first team alongside Baena. Both players are considered an important part of the squad this season, but Jackson staying put may mean Villarreal could be more open to parting ways with Baena should they receive a suitable offer.
Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are all cited as potential rivals for Baena's signature as they monitor his progress.
