Barcelona are in the market for a creative midfielder this summer, and have been linked with several top-class European players.
Xavi is seemingly keen to add a technical player who can also play out wide, and the Blaugrana have been linked with Bernardo Silva of Manchester City.
However, it recently emerged that the Portuguese superstar may be out of Barcelona’s price range, but they may have a younger option in mind anyway.
Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena has been making headlines in La Liga since his breakthrough at the Yellow Submarine, and he has already established himself as one of the best creative midfielders in the division, and he has now opened up on rumours linking him with Barcelona.
Villarreal star Alex Baena calls for Barcelona to pay his full release clause
Speaking to Cadena Ser via Mundo Deportivo, the 22-year-old claimed that whilst he is enjoying life at his boyhood club, he could be open to a move to Barcelona if they agree to pay Villarreal his release clause.
“Who wouldn’t like to play for Barça? Playing for Barça would be one of the biggest dreams as a footballer, it is the best team in the world, but I am in the club of my life, which is where I started and I hope I will be there for many years here,” he stated.
“I think whoever loves me will have to pay them,” he stated of his release clause.
“Nothing has come to me, we are focused on finishing the season, on playing the Euro Cup with the national team if possible, then we will see and we will talk.”
What Alex Baena would bring to Barcelona this summer
It is unlikely that Barcelona would be able to afford such a move to sign a player with Baena’s price tag, but if they were able to strike a deal, then he could bring further creativity to the squad.
Although the Spaniard has a bit of a temper, with 13 yellow cards to his name this season, he has shown his quality on countless occasions in a Villarreal side which has often struggled for structure this season.
With five goals and 16 assists in 41 appearances this season, he has become one of the best creators in Spain, and his outstanding dribbling and passing ability, as well as his ability to play in midfield and out wide on the left, makes him suited for a future at Barcelona.
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