Aston Villa are enjoying a superb season under Unai Emery that could well lead to their first major trophy since 1982.
The Villans are in the Europa Conference League semi-finals and also in pole position to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
Villa will likely be busy in the summer transfer window as Emery looks to bolster his squad’s quality and strength in depth to move to the next level.
The Emery project is heading in the right direction and there’s certainly scope to bring in yet more top players in the summer.
Now, a report from Spain has claimed that Aston Villa are able – and seemingly willing – to trigger the release clause of ‘one of the biggest revelations in Europe’.
The player in question is Villarreal’s Alex Baena, a player who Emery has been talking to Villa about, according to TBR Football sources.
Cadena Ser has published a follow-up report, saying the Villans ‘can pay the €60million (£51million) clause of the Villarreal player.
The report notes how the 22-year-old is a former acquaintance of Emery’s, who in turn would love to have a player of his quality in his ranks again.
However, Villa aren’t alone in pursuit of Baena, with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona also said to be eyeing the Spaniard.
Who is Aston Villa target Alex Baena?
Baena is an attacking midfielder who can also play on both flanks, and has been making a real name for himself at Villarreal.
He has 16 assists and five goals in all competitions for the Yellow Submarine this term, and 19 goals and 28 assists overall for the club.
Baena has also won two caps for Spain, scoring on his debut against Cyprus in September last year.
Cadena Ser have described the reported Aston Villa target as ‘one of the best footballers in Europe’ and ‘one of the most sought-after players in Spain’.
Meanwhile, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout previously described Baena as ‘one of the biggest revelations in Europe‘ and likened him to Philippe Coutinho.
All in all, Baena looks like the kind of player who could help Villa go to the next level.
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