BAENA COULD BE A 'BARGAIN' OF THE SUMMER MARKET
Barça, pay attention: The new price that Villarreal would accept for Álex Baena
Published New:24/01/2025 - 21:37h
Updated New:24/01/2025 - 21:37h
FC Barcelona is keeping an eye on Álex Baena. The winger has not hidden his desire to wear the blue and claret jersey, and his exit price could be an incentive for the Catalan interests
The future of Álex Baena seems to move him further away from Villarreal. Although the 23-year-old player remains a key piece for Marcelino García Toral's team, the growing interest from several European clubs could open the doors of El Madrigal for him next summer at a price that might surprise many. FC Barcelona is attentive to the future of the winger, although signing him is by no means a priority for the upcoming summer market.
Recent reports indicate the willingness of the 'Yellow Submarine' to negotiate the transfer of the Spanish international for a price close to 45 million euros, 15 'kilos' below the value of his release clause (60M€). The player from Roquetas del Mar is valued at around 50M€ on Transfermarkt, and besides Barça, Atlético de Madrid is also very attentive to his future. In England, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have also been mentioned as possible destinations for the '16'.
Villarreal will facilitate the departure of Álex Baena if a good offer arrives
In this sense, Villarreal's stance seems to be to part with one of their key players for a reasonable price, in line with the market expectations that Baena can generate. The winger has 5 goals and 5 assists in 19 matches (1,489 minutes) this season and remains one of the untouchables for coach Marcelino García Toral. Previously, the club implemented a similar strategy with players like Filip Jorgensen (Chelsea), Pau Torres (Aston Villa), and Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), whose transfers brought in 94.5 million euros to the Castellón coffers.
In the case of Álex Baena, his contract runs until 2028, so the player will have the final say on where he wants to play in the 25-26 season. Barça does not rule him out as an alternative for the left winger position, but there are other names with higher profiles that precede him as candidates for the spot. Rafael Leao is currently the first option, along with Nico Williams, who has lost ground after his snub to the blue and claret team last summer.
