Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing a summer move for a player who is doing something that no player across Europe can match.
Ange Postecoglou‘s men are now looking to secure themselves Europa League football on Sunday when they end their season at Bramall Lane.
European football is secured for Tottenham who will not finish any lower than sixth this season.
However, a result for Bournemouth against Chelsea or avoiding defeat at Sheffield United will be enough for Spurs to nail down fifth.
And this summer promises to see a lot of change at Hotspur Way with the Australian already admitting he will be offloading a number of players.
One player who Spurs are reportedly looking to bring in this summer is Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena.
James Maddison has had his issues in the Spurs midfield this season after his injury and proving him competition with Baena would see one of Europe’s best – statistically – arrive in N17.
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Tottenham target Alex Baena is outperforming most of Europe
After a dazzling start for Maddison following his move from Leicester City in the summer, the season has taken a real turn for the worse.
The England international could well be fearing for his place in England’s Euros squad this summer on the back of his form since January.
Although Postecoglou has Giovani Lo Celso in his ranks, the 58-year-old has stuck with Maddison for the large majority of the year.
And even when he’s chosen against Maddison, it has been Dejan Kulusevski who has got the nod in the number 10 role.
This summer is expected to see Spurs bring in some competition for Maddison and Baena is a player who is said to be on the radar.
According to WhoScored, the 22-year-old Spaniard currently has the joint-highest number of league assists (13) in all of Europe.
The versatile midfielder is joined at the top with Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Perhaps a concern for Tottenham, reports are also suggesting the Champions League-qualified Villa are also keen on landing Baena with Unai Emery knowing the player well.
Tottenham’s loss on Tuesday may hinder them in Alex Baena pursuit
Losing to Manchester City on Tuesday night saw Tottenham’s faint hopes of Champions League football fizzle out.
The £50m-rated midfielder could well view a potential move to Villa Park as a bigger draw than a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Not only could he reunite with his former manager, Emery, but Champions League football would be on offer.
European football for Villarreal looks extremely unlikely this season so a move to Tottenham would still offer him something better than what he’s got.
But the prospect of playing behind Maddison may also prove a real concern for the Spaniard ahead of the summer window.
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