FC Barcelona is already starting to make moves for the summer market, and one of the names that stands out on the agenda is Álex Baena. The Villarreal midfielder has been followed by the Catalan club for some time, even before Hansi Flick's arrival. Both Joan Laporta and Deco are admirers of his style and believe he could fit perfectly into the team's playing philosophy.
At just 23 years old, Baena has shown maturity, vision, and an enormous ability to assist. In fact, last season he was the top assist provider in the five major leagues, making him a very valuable profile, especially for set pieces. Barça sees him as an ideal option to strengthen the midfield and add depth to an area already rich in quality.
Demands in the Way
Although Baena is open to making the leap to Camp Nou, he is not willing to do so under any circumstances. The Spanish midfielder has made his condition clear: if he leaves Villarreal, it is to have a leading role and be a regular starter. He doesn't want to arrive as a secondary piece or wait for his opportunity from the bench.
This represents a dilemma for Barça, which, while considering him the natural replacement for Pedri, can't guarantee him immediate starting status. The competition in the midfield is fierce, with names like Pedri, Gavi, De Jong, and Olmo. Therefore, meeting that demand will be quite a challenge for the club's sports management.
Wants Prominence
Interestingly, Baena is not the only one demanding prominence. Fermín López, with whom he shared a locker room at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has also expressed that he will not accept a secondary role next season. Both players have a similar offensive profile and share the ambition to be important in their respective teams.
The reality is that there is no room for everyone. The presence of so many top-level midfielders in the squad makes securing minutes a complicated task for Flick. And although Baena prioritizes Barça over other clubs like Manchester City, Leverkusen, or Atlético, he is not willing to take the step without certain guarantees.