Atletico Madrid Secures Signing of Álex Baena

According to journalist Álex Silvestre on El Chiringuito de Jugones, Atlético de Madrid has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Villarreal to secure the services of Álex Baena. The transfer could be sealed for a sum close to 55 million euros, a significant amount that the Atlético board considers an investment for the future given the constant growth of the Andalusian player.

At 23 years old, Baena has been one of the standout performers for Villarreal in recent seasons, known for his versatility in the attacking zone and his ability to unsettle defenses. His profile perfectly fits what Diego Pablo Simeone is looking for to reinforce his team's attack: verticality, youth, and commitment.

Saudi Arabia aims to disrupt the deal

However, the signing is not yet finalized due to a significant external factor: Saudi Arabia. Since the last January transfer window, Baena has had a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League, an offer he turned down at the time to prioritize his career in Europe. Nevertheless, pressure from the Middle East persists, with an even higher economic proposal than that of Atlético, slowing down the final agreement.

Despite this, everything indicates that Baena's desire is to stay in LaLiga and move to a team with higher sporting ambitions. The player believes that Atlético is the logical step to continue growing professionally and getting closer to the big European stages. If all goes well, his arrival at the Metropolitano could be confirmed in the coming weeks, provided that Saudi insistence does not alter the course of an operation that seems to be on track.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Atlético de Madrid ata el fichaje de Álex Baena