The Premier League got a lot richer this year with the new TV deal that has financially strengthened all the 20 clubs participating in the domestic league next season. So there have been many clubs who are willing to spend big to sign their targets in the transfer window this summer. Welsh outfit Swansea City are now joining the list and are close to spending a club record fee on Borja Baston, a former U-19 Spanish international from Atletico Madrid, ahead of the next season. Now 23, Baston has come into the spotlight with his fruitful season on-loan at Eibar from Atletico Madrid. He is expected to be a replacement for Andre Ayew, the star of the previous season for Swansea who is set to complete his £20m move to West Ham by the weekend. So who is this Spanish forward and what will he bring to the Premier League and Swansea?
Baston was unstoppable at Eibar last season where he scored 19 goals in all competitions for the La Liga side. He was one of the most impressive players in the domestic league last season but hardly got noticed, thanks to all the big names that are ruling the Spanish league. However, his returns had their effect on his parent club who are set to include a buy-back clause in his contract with Swansea. The 23-year old is a deadly finisher who can score from different angles and different ranges. He is a perfect suit to the style of play in Spain as he loves to play off his midfielders waiting for short passes before making some space for himself and finding the net. He is also stern in his tacking and loves to put himself around in the attacking third and is a player defenders do not like to play against.
Baston is not a typical Premier League striker who will win the ball in the air and hold it up for his midfielders but Swansea have purchased Fernando Llorente, another Spaniard, for the exact same purpose, which will increase Baston’s efficiency as well. Francesco Guidolin, the manager of the Liberty outfit is one of the few gaffers in the Premier League that sets his team up to hold the ball for long periods before breaking the defense and this is where the club record signing will help the Swans. He will play off the shoulder of the last defender and occupy the defense while the likes of Llorente, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Routledge can work their way through the opponents.
Even if the manager wants to play only one of Llorente and Baston, the latter will offer him enough to break sides down and can be an exciting prospect for the club. However, having spent a club record £16million, Baston might be under pressure to perform and may take time to adjust to the English game. Do you think the Spanish national is a good-choice for Guidolin this season?
