Barcelona admire versatile 22-year-old La Liga youngster a lot, but deal impossible

Given the prevailing financial situation at the club, FC Barcelona are not in a position to afford luxury signings heading into the summer transfer window.

However, it does not mean that the Blaugrana have a list of players they like and plan to move for if the situation permits.

Alex Baena is admired at Barcelona

One such player that Barcelona admire a lot happens to be Villarreal attacking midfielder Alex Baena, reports SPORT’s Toni Juanmarti.

The 22-year-old versatile star has been on the Blaugrana’s wishlist for quite some time now. But due to finances and the needs of the squad, the priorities have always turned out to be something else, meaning a move for the Spaniard has not materialised.

Heading into the summer again, Baena remains a name on Barça’s wishlist, with the club receiving excellent reports on the Spanish international. There is a belief that the youngster would fit in very well at the club.

Barcelona like Baena for his quality, his ball handling, and his understanding of the game, but especially because he can occupy two positions in a classic 4-3-3. After all, the Villarreal man is capable of playing as an interior midfielder or as a false left-winger.

Alex Baena has a lot of admirers at Barcelona. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Deal impossible

While Barcelona admire Alex Baena and regard him very highly, a deal for the 22-year-old this summer is seen as impossible due to multiple reasons.

For starters, the cost factor would be a major hurdle as he signed a new contract with Villarreal until 2028, which contains a €60 million release clause.

Although it is believed that he can be signed for a slightly lower figure than that, Barça are not in a position to be able to afford it currently.

In addition, and despite being a different profile, the presence of Joao Felix acts as an obstacle to a hypothetical arrival of Baena, the report states.

There are certain similarities between the Atletico Madrid loanee and the Villarreal man. As such, if Barça finally sign Felix permanently this summer or the next, Baena’s chances of joining would diminish a great deal.