Villarreal’s Alex Baena is in the sights of various Premier League teams including Arsenal, according to a report from Spain.

Villarreal's Spanish midfielder Alex Baena (C) is tackled by Hapoel Beer-Sheva's Israeli defender Or Dadia during the UEFA Europa Conference League football match between Israel's Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Spain's Villarreal at the Turner stadium in the city of Beer Sheva on September 15, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Villarreal’s Spanish midfielder Alex Baena (C) is tackled by Hapoel Beer-Sheva’s Israeli defender Or Dadia during the UEFA Europa Conference League football match between Israel’s Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Spain’s Villarreal at the Turner stadium in the city of Beer Sheva on September 15, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Spanish outlet Sport report that Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal are all interested in Villarreal 21-year-old midfielder Alex Baena – who can also play in the front three – following his impressive start to the season.

Baena has scored six goals and assisted two in Villarreal’s first 10 games of the season, despite only starting four of them (all in Europe).

The Spanish u21 international is yet to make a start in La Liga, but he has three goals from his substitute appearances.

It helps that he’s generally played a bit further forward this season than in the last campaign with Girona on loan, when he generally acted as an attacking midfielder, at least until the final couple of months with the Spanish second-tier side.

VALLADOLID, SPAIN: Alex Baena of Villareal CF scores their side's third goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Villarreal CF at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on August 13, 2022. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
VALLADOLID, SPAIN: Alex Baena of Villareal CF scores their side’s third goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Villarreal CF at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on August 13, 2022. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Baena has a contract until 2025 and a release clause of €35m, which seems pretty low given his current form. Villarreal are already looking to renegotiate that clause.

Villarreal are safe for the time being, with the transfer window closed, so they have a few months to work on convincing Baena to accept new terms.