
La Liga
Atletico Madrid has set its sights on Álex Baena as the main target to strengthen its squad in the upcoming summer market. The attacking midfielder from Villarreal, who has shone brightly at La Cerámica, has become highly valued by the rojiblanco technical staff, who believe he would fit perfectly into Cholo Simeone's scheme. His ability to create play and unsettle from the second line has placed him at the top of the priority list for the Madrid outfit.
Roro Riquelme, potential exchange piece for Álex Baena
Work is already underway at the Metropolitano to find a way to lower the operation cost. The price tag for the young talent is not low, so the sports management is considering including Roro Riquelme as a bargaining chip. The Atleti youth product has shown quality in various loan spells and could be appealing to Villarreal, a club known for historically boosting young players with offensive profiles.
The deal would be viewed favorably by both parties, who maintain a smooth relationship when it comes to transfers. Baena's arrival at Atletico would bring a dose of creativity and off-the-ball work that Simeone especially values, while Riquelme could potentially find at Villarreal the ideal environment to keep growing and gain the prominence he has yet to establish at the rojiblanco squad.
In the meantime, discreet but steady work is being done behind the scenes. Atletico's desire is clear, and including Roro Riquelme in the discussions could be the key to unlocking the deal. Villarreal, on their part, do not rule out the move if conditions are favorable, and the profile of the Madrid-born forward is appealing to the club's coaches.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El jugador del Atlético de Madrid que podría abaratar el fichaje de Álex Baena