Yahoo News Unai Emery 'gives green light' for Aston Villa to reunite him with €60m midfielder
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has reportedly given the go-head for the club to reunite him with promising midfielder Alex Baena - denying a move to Barcelona in the process.
Back in July 2020, Emery awarded the little-known Spanish technician a La Liga debut for his boyhood club, Villarreal. He would go on to become a key component in the now-Villa manager's squad that won the 2021 Europa League final, and then made a surprise run to the 2021/22 Champions League semi-finals.
At present, a 22-year-old Baena has racked up 111 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, scoring 19 goals and assisting 28 times. In the latter category he currently leads the way in the Spanish top-flight with 12 goals created.
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With his talent recognised far and wide, this is attracting a number of suitors. This list includes his former boss, as ahead of the summer transfer window Relevo's Matteo Moretto has revealed to Football Espana that he wishes to recruit him for Villa.
They claim that with the relationship already there between the individuals and clubs, a deal could be struck in the region of £25.7m to £34.2m. This is significantly lower than the midfielder's reported £51.4m release clause on a contract that only expires in 2028.
Barcelona have been linked in the past and given their crippling financial situation, the Catalan giants may not even be able to act on their interest as a move to Villa Park unfolds. When asked, Baena even stated last week: "Who wouldn't like to go to Barca? It would be one of the biggest dreams as a footballer, it is the best team in the world."
As for Villa, the club is set for an interesting summer ahead. Champions League qualification - which is almost sealed - should bring with it ambition in the transfer market, though chiefs must tread carefully to stay within the financial boundaries of the Premier League.
Emery already possesses a wealth of creative attacking in his squad too, so if Baena were to arrive there would be a question over who would make way to accommodate his place in the squad. Academy graduate Jacob Ramsey would earn the club pure profit from any potential sale, Emi Buendia's status is uncertain given his lengthy injury troubles and Nicolo Zaniolo is only on loan at the club until the end of the campaign.
