Aston Villa plotting summer moves for two Villarreal stars

Yahoo

09-02-2025

Aston Villa have set their sights on the La Liga market in the last couple of years, and the expectation is that their focus will continue into the summer. Head coach Unai Emery and sporting director Monchi are both very familiar with Spanish football, so it is perhaps no surprise that the Premier League side are exploring this.
They managed to recruit from this market in January as rightback Andres Garcia joined from Segunda side Levante. However, they also missed out on multiple targets, as moves for Loic Bade and Juan Foyth broke down during the winter transfer window.
However, Aston Villa have decided not to be deterred, and a renewed approach is expected to be made in the summer. According to TBR Football, they will renew their interest in Foyth, while Villarreal teammate Alex Baena will also be on their list of targets.
Foyth was targeted by Aston Villa after they missed out on Bade. A deal had looked possible at one stage, but in the end, it was ruled out. Nevertheless, Emery appears determined to be reunited with the player that he brought to Villarreal from Tottenham Hotspur back in October 2020.
Baena has been a long-term target for Aston Villa, and Villarreal are expected to be open to offers during the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old playmaker turned down a big-money move to Al Ahli earlier this month, which gives hope to the rest of his suitors, which also includes Atletico Madrid.
It looks like being another busy summer for Villarreal, who have regularly sold their prized assets in the last few years. Foyth and Baena could be the latest to go, joining the likes of Filip Jorgensen, Samuel Chukwueze and Nicolas Jackson in having left La Ceramica for pastures new. In the meantime, both players are focused on the remainder of the season.