Arsenal scouts were recently in Copenhagen to observe Villarreal’s talent, Alex Baenaduring the match between his Spain and Denmark. The 23-year-old, who plays as a left winger but prefers the use of his right foot, represents the perfect profile for Arsenal’s current needs. His bond with Arsenal teammate Mikel Merino caught the attention of the club, who decided to observe how the two performed together on the pitch. Unfortunately, Baena had to leave the pitch in the 62nd minute due to an ankle problem, but tests ruled out serious damage.
The player finished last season as the best assist-man in Europe’s top leagues, with 14 assists in La Liga and 18 in all competitions. This season, he has already recorded 5 assists and 1 goal in 12 appearances for Villarreal. If a move to Arsenal were to materialize, Baena could fit perfectly into the team’s dynamism alongside Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, occupying a similar position to Saka, reversed on the right wing.
Baena’s release clause is set at €60 million, but his salary is reported to be significantly lower than that of his international teammate Nico Williams, making his purchase a more accessible option for Arsenal than to other targets like Williams. He brings it back footballtransfers.com