Atletico Madrid closes on their first major move of the summer transfer window, because they want to get a deal for Alex Baena van Villarreal. The 23-year-old has been one of the best players in La Liga for the past two seasons and has made the decision to make the leap to the next level, after a tearful farewell to La Ceramica on Sunday.
According to MD, Baena and Atletico have already reached an agreement on personal conditions. His thoughts are planned to join Los Rojiblancos, and he has made a decision there. Atletico has reserved him as a priority for this summer, and the negotiations are expected to be packed quickly.
On Wednesday it was reported that conversations were opened by Atletico to sign Baena. Villarreal, who was grateful to Baena for rejecting an offer from Saudi Arabia in January, will not stand in the way of him. Despite a release clause of € 55 million, it can leave for somewhere around € 45-50 million.
The yellow submarine already has a replacement in mind: Rodrigo Riquelme from Atletico Madrid. The 25-year-old will leave under Diego Simeone this summer after less than 1,000 minutes this season. It is not clear what he is being abhorred, but Atletico wants to record Riquelme in the Baena deal. For their part, Villarreal would rather the deals remained separate.
For the past two seasons, Baena has been one of the most impressive players in La Liga and became the most important playmaker for Villarreal. This has been demonstrated by its collapse in the Spain team and its figures. Last season he registered 18 assists and five goals, the first most of everyone in Europe's top five competitions. This season it became seven goals and 10 assists, which led from La Liga in that respect and only placed behind Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.