Arsenal are in the market for a new winger – and could snare a bargain from La Liga
(Image credit: David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Arsenal could be set to land a Spanish wonderkid in January to bolster their squad – and he might come at a bargain price.
The Gunners were interested in adding a winger towards the end of the transfer window. Pedro Neto and Mykhaylo Mudryk were both touted as potential options but with an injury crisis in the centre of midfield, manager Mikel Arteta and director Edu Gaspar turned attentions to Aston Villa No.6 Douglas Luiz on Deadline Day.
Luiz remained at Villa Park in the end, while reports indicated that both Neto and Mudryk would have been beyond the north Londoners' budget for what would have essentially been a squad player.
Mykhaylo Mudryk emerged as a potential winger that Arsenal could sign – but employers Shakhtar Donetsk have since hiked his asking price up (Image credit: Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images)
Now, Arsenal are turning to more cost-effective options and one that has interested the Emirates outfit is Villarreal starlet Alejandro "Alex" Baena.
Spanish outlet Sport have claimed that Arteta is a fan of the Andalucian wide-man, after an impressive start to the season under former Gunners boss, Unai Emery. Baena has been compared favourably to Philippe Coutinho in his style of play and already tops the scoring board for the Yellow Submarine.
Baena's release clause sits at around £30 million, making him considerably cheaper than either Neto or Mudryk – not to mention his £42m-rated team-mate Yeremi Pino, who Arsenal have also registered an interest in, according to football.london.
Baena primarily plays on the left-wing for Villarreal, is right-footed and has a sharp turn of pace. Last season on loan at Girona, he found himself drifting into the penalty area to finish off chances but is also more than capable of creating opportunities himself.
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Alex Baena of Villarreal in action against Real Betis (Image credit: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Villarreal are thought to want to extend the contract of the 21-year-old, with the Gunners not the only club interested in a deal. Liverpool are said to be interested too, while Fichajes have confirmed Manchester City's interest but claim that the champions aren't likely to make a bid.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
