Diego Simeone is counting on the former Villarreal player, who has already delivered strong performances in the early part of the season, for today's huge derby.
Baena is under contract with Atletico Madrid until mid-2030. He was part of the Spain squad that won the 2026 World Cup, operating from the left side.
Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are all still watching the playmaker, according to Sports Illustrated. That would amount to a triple English threat on the horizon for Atlético, although everything suggests that Baena is fully focused on his current club.
Simeone has already spoken about the derby, stressing that the match has nothing to do with what each team did before it.
“We are used to the previous match not being related to the city derby. I don’t understand that our previous matches or theirs have anything to do with the match.”
He also said that composure is the key for the newcomers.
“Calm, above all calm. There is a word, security. If you have security in what you do, it can go badly or well, but it is the path.”