Forget Jack Grealish - £51m bold new signing can soar Aston Villa to Champions League glory

Unai Emery is determined to land a new versatile attacking midfielder for Aston Villa this summer and he could be granted his wish once the club’s tricky financial situation is addressed.

Villa still need to make a significant sale or let several fringe players depart before June 30 as a fine line is being walked with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR). The wage bill needs to be reduced, too, as Villa are currently on track to fail to meet UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR).

Although Villa still won’t be able to go gung-ho, the fun can begin once those issues are eradicated, perhaps through selling the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey. Those let go will need to be replaced as a priority but a new playmaker is desired for depth and quality purposes.

Villa are already closing in on the signing of promising left winger Jesus Rodriguez from Real Betis but it’s understood that Emery also wants an attacking midfielder. Talks are ongoing to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Asensio on a permanent deal once his loan expires but there’s no guarantee that deal gets done.

Aston Villa could sign incredible Jack Grealish alternative for £51m

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish has been linked with a romantic return to Villa Park this summer but it’s understood no approach has been made. That may disappoint some and may delight others but, regardless, there’s a player who could be a much better fit than the £100 million man.

Versatile Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena, who has already been linked with a potential move to Villa this year, could be the perfect target. The 23-year-old, a nine-time senior Spain international, scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in 32 La Liga appearances last season.

Emery wants a playmaker who can be utilised on either flank or through the middle if required and Baena is capable in all three positions. The midfielder still has three years left on his Villarreal contract but there is a release clause ready to be activated, standing at €60 million (£51.3m). That means Villa have the power to enter negotiations with the player if they wish to proceed.

Alex Baena has been watched by Villa chief

Damian Vidagany, Villa’s director of football operations, was spotted at Estadio de le Ceramica - Villarreal’s ground - at the end of April, watching on as Baena played the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano. It could have been an honest visit to a former club as Vidagany used to work with Emery at Villarreal but it equally may not have been so.

Villa aren’t the only club interested in Baena as Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Al-Ahli have all been linked in recent months. Getting a move on would be ideal as a result but Villa will have to wait a while yet given their PSR and SCR worries. If he’s still available once that has passed, should the Villans proceed with a bid? Let us know in the comments.