Arsenal eye Atletico Madrid winger as Alvarez alternative in January
Arsenal are reportedly shifting their attention to another Atletico Madrid attacker after failing to land Julian Alvarez during the summer window, with Alex Baena emerging as a target for the January transfer market.
According to Team Talk, Arsenal are interested in signing Baena from Atletico Madrid and could move for him before the end of the season. The report suggests the club have grown wary of pursuing Alvarez further in the short term, understanding that Atletico Madrid have no intention of selling the Argentine forward in January despite continuing to monitor his situation.
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Why Arsenal are looking beyond Alvarez
Arsenal's pursuit of Alvarez during the summer ultimately came to nothing, with Atletico Madrid unwilling to part with one of their key attacking players. That experience appears to have informed the club's thinking heading into the new year, with Baena now said to be under consideration as an alternative option to boost the squad's attacking depth.
The timing is notable given the current situation of some senior attacking options. Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi have both struggled for regular minutes this season, and the report suggests the January window could prove significant for squad members who have found first team opportunities limited.
Arsenal already possess a strong squad under Mikel Arteta, but the club are said to remain keen on strengthening further, with several names on their radar as the winter window approaches.
Atletico Madrid hold the final say
Any move for Baena would ultimately depend on Atletico Madrid's willingness to negotiate. The Spanish club's stance will be decisive in whether Arsenal's interest develops into a concrete approach, much as it was with Alvarez over the summer.
Arsenal would need to convince Atletico Madrid to sanction Baena's departure before any deal could be completed, and given the club's reluctance to sell Alvarez just months ago, there is no guarantee that Baena would be treated any differently. Much will depend on Arsenal's approach in the coming weeks and how Atletico Madrid respond to any formal interest.
For now, the report indicates only growing interest rather than any advanced negotiations, with the January window set to provide the first real test of how serious Arsenal's pursuit of Baena might become.
