Arsenal Eye £67m Alex Baena But Atletico Madrid Stand Firm on January Deal

Arsenal tracking £67m Alex Baena but Atletico Madrid won't sell in January

Arsenal are closely monitoring Atletico Madrid winger Alex Baena, but any January move is unlikely with Atletico unwilling to sell mid-season and demanding at least £67m for the 25-year-old, according to TeamTalk. The Gunners have long admired Baena, dating back to his Villarreal days, but a summer deal is more realistic.

Player: Alex Baena, 25, left-sided forward who can also play centrally or as a makeshift number 9
Current club: Atletico Madrid, under contract until 2030 after joining from Villarreal for £45m in summer 2025
Fee required: At least €80m (£67m, $90m) for any summer move
Season form: Nine goal contributions (five goals, four assists) in 14 appearances
Career output: 92 goal contributions in 253 matches
Competition: Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have all monitored him

Deal details

Atletico Madrid signed Baena from Villarreal in the summer of 2025 for €45 million, which converts to £45 million, and tied him to a contract until 2030. That long-term deal gives the Spanish club complete control and significantly limits the prospect of a winter departure. The report states that Atletico are understood to be very unwilling to allow a mid-season sale, and that any move is far more realistic next summer. It would almost certainly require a fee well above Baena's current valuation, with the number likely to be at least €80m (£67m, $90m). Unless an exceptional bid lands, there is little suggestion Atletico are open to serious negotiations in the middle of the campaign. Arsenal's interest is described as long-standing, with the club keeping a close eye on his rapid rise and tracking him since his Villarreal days. For now, this is a live file rather than an imminent transfer.

The numbers

14 appearances this season for Atletico Madrid
9 goal contributions (5 goals, 4 assists) in those 14 games
92 goal contributions in 253 career matches
€45m (£45m) fee paid by Atletico to Villarreal in summer 2025
Contract until 2030
Potential asking price: at least €80m (£67m, $90m)
Atletico Madrid currently second in LaLiga, two points behind Barcelona

Why Arsenal want Alex Baena

Baena's flexibility is central to Arsenal's interest. He is a left-sided forward who can also operate centrally or as a makeshift number 9, a profile that naturally strengthens his value in a squad shaped by rotation, injuries and tactical variation. Arsenal are assessing options who can offer depth and quality across the frontline, and Baena clearly falls into that bracket. The squad context is telling: Arsenal moved on from two left-sided attackers in Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard during the summer, bringing in Christos Tzolis, while Eberechi Eze has largely not impressed when given the chance there. That leaves understandable room for another addition if the right profile becomes available. Sources cited in the report suggest Mikel Arteta sees Baena as a versatile option to add depth to their attacking options, which aligns with the current squad picture. Arsenal have built a side capable of competing across multiple fronts, but adding another high-level attacker with proven output and adaptability would make obvious sense.

Competition for Arsenal in Alex Baena race

Arsenal are not operating in isolation. The report says Bayern Munich are seriously interested, with injuries to key attackers prompting initial moves towards the player's camp. Tottenham also have Baena on their list, while Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have monitored developments in recent months. That level of interest underlines how highly Baena is regarded across the market. He has pedigree, form and tactical range, plus the added momentum that came from his contribution to Spain's World Cup triumph. Players with those credentials rarely become straightforward deals, particularly when the selling club has no urgency to entertain offers. As things stand, Atletico hold the strongest hand and can likely abort any enquiries that come their way. That leaves Arsenal in familiar territory, informed and interested but accepting that January may come too soon for a breakthrough.

Our view: Patience is the right play for Arsenal

This is exactly the sort of report that encourages belief. Arsenal need more threat on the left side, more unpredictability in the final third and more competition in the attacking unit. Baena sounds like a serious answer to all three. A player with 92 goal contributions, positional flexibility and experience at the highest level is not a speculative target; he is the profile of footballer who can elevate a title-winning squad even further. The most encouraging part is the long-term interest. It suggests proper planning rather than a reactive chase. That matters because the best recruitment tends to come from patience and conviction. If Arsenal have watched him since Villarreal and still feel the same now that he is shining for Atletico, then there is a strong chance the internal assessment is thorough and positive.

Of course, £67 million is major money, and January feels unrealistic if Atletico are that resistant. There is no point forcing a deal that another club controls completely. Waiting until the summer may be the smarter route, especially if it creates better conditions for negotiation. Still, this is one to watch closely. If the club believe Baena is the right fit for Arteta's attack, then there should be no hesitation when the window opens properly. Elite teams stay elite by adding top-class options before a weakness becomes a problem. This feels like an opportunity Arsenal should stay firmly attached to.

Talking points

Should Arsenal pay £67m for a 25-year-old who has never played in the Premier League, or is that money better spent elsewhere?
With Martinelli and Trossard gone, is Baena the right profile to fill the left-sided void, or does Arteta need a pure winger?
Does the interest from Bayern, City and Tottenham mean Arsenal should act now rather than risk losing him in the summer?
Is Atletico's hard-line stance a negotiating tactic, or will they genuinely refuse all offers until the summer?

What happens next

Arsenal will continue to monitor Baena's performances for Atletico Madrid, with the Spanish club second in LaLiga and pushing for the title. Any formal approach is expected to wait until the summer transfer window, when Atletico's resolve may soften. The Gunners must decide whether to test Atletico's resolve with an exceptional bid or risk missing out to Bayern Munich, Manchester City or Tottenham. The next few months will reveal whether Arsenal's long-term admiration translates into a concrete offer.

Frequently asked questions

Will Arsenal sign Alex Baena in January?

It is unlikely. Atletico Madrid are very unwilling to allow a mid-season sale, and any move is considered far more realistic next summer.

How much would Alex Baena cost Arsenal?

Any summer move would almost certainly require a fee of at least €80m (£67m, $90m), well above Atletico's current valuation.

Who else is interested in Alex Baena?

Bayern Munich are seriously interested, while Tottenham have him on their list and Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have monitored him.