As the Spaniard pledges his future to the team, Unai Emery is said to have recommended Aston Villa to make a £50 million summer transfer signing of a new attacker.
Rumours of an Aston Villa transfer
With Villa on track to make the Champions League and advance to the Europa Conference League semifinals, Emery’s first full season in command in the Midlands has been outstanding.
In addition to adding more players during the January transfer window, NSWE supported the Spaniard in the transfer market last summer by landing huge agreements for center-back Pau Torres and winger Moussa Diaby. However, it already seems like the forthcoming transfer window is the focus behind the scenes at Villa Park, with Monchi and company looking into potential signings and tying up their boss for the foreseeable future.
The Spaniard may have been persuaded to stay longer by Villa’s ambitions, as recent rumours suggest they have already made an offer for Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella and Galatasaray winger Barış Alper Yılmaz.
Kiran Tierney is one of the players Emery has previously worked with and is being watched closely; this is just another indication that the long-term plan is being developed especially for the current manager. Emery is also aware that Tierney is returning to the Villa fold.
Emery wants Villarreal star at Aston Villa
According to The Boot Room, Aston Villa are interested in signing Villarreal attacker Alex Baena over the coming months. The report suggests that Villa, who were linked with the Spaniard last summer, have been advised by Emery to sign the 22-year-old.
Baena, who has excelled in La Liga this season, has a release clause in his contract worth approximately £50 million. He is mostly an offensive midfielder, but he is also capable of playing on the flank and has made an impact this season on the left side.
Baena has scored five goals and contributed 13 assists in 40 appearances in all competitions, bringing his total Villarreal tally to 110 matches, 19 goals, and 25 assists. (Transfermarkt stats for Alex Baena)
Journalist Josh Bunting, who praised the attacker’s “excellent attitude and work-rate” in August of last year, has also taken notice of him.
If Villa decides to make a move, it may be advantageous since the Spain international has the same agency as Villa’s center-back Ezri Konsa. It will be interesting to watch, and if Emery has his way, Baena might become another of Villa’s many alternatives, joining the ranks of players like Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, and Diaby.
