Tottenham 'keen' to beat Aston Villa and Newcastle United to £54m 'difference maker'

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Unai Emery worked with the winger at Villarreal but the Spaniard has other Premier League suitors.

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Tottenham Hotspur are 'keen' on making a move for in-demand Villarreal winger Alex Baena in January but will have to fight off competition from Newcastle United and Aston Villa to bring the 23-year-old to London.

Spanish outlet Fichajes has linked Spurs with transfer interest in the forward. Villarreal are thought to be willing to allow Baena to leave but would demand around €65 million - around £54 million - from any suitor.

The Spanish international has picked up five assists so far in La Liga this season, along with one goal, having picked up a Euro 2024 winners medal with Spain this summer. It seems that Ange Postecoglou may view the star as a solution to the inconsistency that has plagued his side so far this season.

CaughtOffside name Newcastle United as potential rivals to any deal, along with Aston Villa. The Midlands club have the benefit of manager Unai Emery having worked with Baena while at Villarreal, which could put the Villains in an advantageous position should the player be offered contracts by rival Premier League clubs too.

A product of the Villarreal youth academy, Baena has broken into the first team in recent years after a loan spell with Girona during the 2021/22 campaign. The winger has earned plaudits this season with Spanish outlet Ser 100 praising him for a 'perfect game' against Mallorca in September - "Baena has become the difference maker, capable of deciding a game with a crucial assist" the report added.

Despite being just 23 years old, the player would arrive in the Premier League with pedigree. As well as his Euro 2024 winners medal, Baena won the Europa League under Emery at Villarreal in 2021 and picked up a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics with the Spanish under-23 side.

Baena also finished last season as the player with the most assists in La Liga as Villarreal placed eighth in the table. The winger laid on 14 league goals last term.