It seemed like it was just a matter of time before there would be reports of Leeds United being interested in a deal for Emiliano Buendia in the summer transfer window.
CaughtOffside recently reported that Aston Villa are ready to part ways with the Argentina international for a fee of around £20m, and that the Championship champions are leading the race to sign him.
Buendia scored 24 goals and provided 41 assists in 121 appearances in all competitions for Daniel Farke during their time together at Norwich City, which is why this feels like an obvious link for the Whites.
Buendia
However, the 28-year-old star's relationship with the German head coach does not make it certain that the 49ers will conclude a deal for his services, as the club are reportedly eyeing up another option in the number ten role.
Leeds expected to make move for Championship star
The Whites are looking to bolster their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League next season, and they have identified one of the top players from the 2024/25 Championship campaign as a target.
According to TEAMtalk, there is a 'belief' that Leeds United will make a move to sign Sheffield United attacking midfielder Gustavo Hamer in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Championship champions are active in the market to sign a number ten and that they are expected to swoop for the Dutch whiz, for whom they had an offer of £18m rejected last year.
gustavo-hamer-leeds
TEAMtalk adds that it would take a fee in the region of £18m to secure his signature this time around, though, after the Blades failed to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Why Gustavo Hamer is as exciting as Emi Buendia
Both Hamer and Buendia appear to be good options on paper for Leeds to improve their options at the top end of the pitch, and they would both be exciting additions to the group this summer.
The former produced ten goals and eight assists in the Championship during the 2024/25 campaign, which is not quite as impressive as the 15 goals and 16 assists that the Argentine magician managed in the 2020/21 season under Farke.
Sheffield United's Gustavo Hamer celebrates scoring their first goal
This suggests that Buendia would be a more exciting signing for Leeds based on their form in the Championship, and what he did with Farke as his manager, but there is more to the situation than that.
For example, if you look at the last time that they both played a full season in the Premier League, it is Hamer who appears to come out on top as a better option for the West Yorkshire outfit.
Premier League Hamer (23/24) Buendia (22/23)
Appearances 36 38
xG 2.97 6.36
Goals 4 5
Big chances created 10 8
xA 4.55 4.19
Assists 6 2
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Dutch star was more efficient as a finisher at the top level and created more high-quality opportunities for his teammates as an attacking midfielder.
Hamer, who was dubbed “unbelievable” by former teammate Ollie McBurnie, has shown that he can be a quality operator in both the Premier League and the Championship for the Blades, which is why he is an attractive target for the Whites.
The 27-year-old star, who can also operate on the left flank as well as in midfield or as a number ten, could add a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals to Farke's squad this summer.
Based on their respective statistics in the top two tiers, Buendia and Hamer are equally exciting targets with solid arguments as to why the club should sign them this summer.
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If the Whites end the summer transfer window with at least one of them added to the group for the upcoming Premier League season, Farke should be a happy man.