Arsenal are interested in a deal to sign Alex Baena from Atletico Madrid as the Gunners look to improve their forward depth.
The World Cup winners is on Arsenal’s radar, as the Premier League champions seek another creative option. Arsenal failed with bids to sign Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior in the summer, and view Baena as an intriguing option, given his ability to play centrally and from the left.
Christos Tzolis and Bukayo Saka are currently out injured for Arsenal, leaving their options stretched. Football Transfers are reporting Baena is a genuine target ahead of a January move.
The 25-year-old has five goals and two assists from nine La Liga appearances this season, having helped Spain to World Cup success in the summer.
Arsenal are long-term admirers of the midfielder and made enquiries before Baena’s move to Atletico from Villarreal in 2025, for a fee of around £42m.
Atletico are in a strong position with the midfielder contracted until 2030, though Baena has not always been an automatic starter. He’s started five of Atletico’s nine league games this season, after only 21 league games from the start in 2025/26.
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