Arsenal face SHOCK competition for perfect January signing

Cameron Smith

• 5 Jan 2025 11:15 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona remain interested in Arsenal target Alex Baena, according to reports in Spain, despite their failure to register Dani Olmo for the remainder of the 2024-25 La Liga season.

Olmo re-joined the Blaugrana for a fee of €55 million in August, however he is set to spend the second half of the campaign on the sidelines due to Barcelona’s financial issues.

The Spanish giants were only able to register the 26-year-old for the first six months of the season and La Liga have now officially rejected Barca’s appeal to register Olmo until the end of 2024-25.

READ MORE: Arsenal suffer blow in Nico Williams chase

Barcelona have secured the necessary funding to register Olmo and fellow summer signing Pau Victor, although they missed the deadline of 31 December and will now be forced to seek legal action against La Liga and the Spanish Federation in a bid to overturn the decision.

Olmo has been linked with a mid-season move to Manchester United, but his agent, Andy Bara, has confirmed that the Spain international will not push to leave Camp Nou this month, despite the fact that he is reportedly able to move clubs on a free transfer due to a clause in his current Barcelona contract.

Although Barca have been unable to register Olmo due to their financial woes, they remain interested in Villarreal star Baena, as per Spanish outlet Fichajes.

The 23-year-old has registered four goals and five assists in 16 La Liga appearances so far this campaign and although he has played solely as a left winger this season, Baena is also capable of being used in an attacking midfield role - similar to Olmo.

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Alex Baena to Arsenal?

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal are interested in signing Baena this year, with Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his forward line.

We have been informed that Athletic Club winger Nico Williams remains a key target for the Gunners, but Baena is also being monitored and he could provide Arteta with a much needed freshness in attack.

Furthermore, he could emerge as a viable back-up option to Martin Odegaard, in addition to challenging for a starting berth out wide.