Diego Simeone Already Has His Ideal Antoine Griezmann's Replacement In Villareal Maestro

Written by Oluwadamilola Olaleye

Alex Baena remains one of the unsung creators in La Liga, the 24 year old Olympic gold medalist was once pursued by Barcelona and was a prime target of Xavi Hernandez but their financial incapability restrained them from pursuing any further. As the summer window approaches, Baena has hit the transfer headlines again with Diego Simeone earmarking him as his perfect Antoine Griezmann’s replacement at Atletico Madrid should the Frenchman move to MLS at the end of the season.

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Antoine Griezmann’s potential exit which would create a significant creative void within the Atlético squad is already been considered hence necessitating a strategic response. To address this, the club has identified Alex Baena, a standout performer in La Liga for Villareal as a primary target.

Alex Baena has established himself as a prominent creative force for Villarreal over the past 18 months, excelling in the left midfield position within Marcelino Garcia Toral’s 4-4-2 formation. This tactical versatility makes him an ideal candidate for Atlético Madrid, as he could seamlessly adapt to a similar role within Diego Simeone’s identical system.

Atlético Madrid’s conviction in their pursuit of Baena is intensifying as the summer transfer window approaches as per Diario AS. While his contract stipulates a €60 million release clause, Villarreal is reportedly open to accepting offers around €50 million.

This reduced figure is expected to attract considerable interest from several Premier League clubs, potentially creating a competitive market for the sought-after midfielder.

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For Griezmann, the Frenchman is reportedly in negotiations with LAFC to the MLS where he could reunite with former teammates Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud at the end of the season although he’s scheduled for a meeting with the club in the coming months but the feeling around the 2018 World Cup winner indicates that he’s willing to move on at the end of the season.

Villarreal faces a challenging dilemma regarding Alex Baena’s future, as they are understandably reluctant to relinquish the services of the 23-year-old. His consistent performances have established him as a pivotal player within their squad, and his departure would represent a substantial loss. Retaining a talent of Baena’s caliber is crucial for Villarreal, particularly given his escalating influence and importance to the team’s overall strategy and success.

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