With Gabriel Gudmundsson confirmed, Sean Longstaff on his way and Jaka Bijol, Lukas Nmecha and Sebastiaan Bornauw already at Leeds United, the squad is starting to take shape.
Adam Underwood was always expected to bring in a whole heap of new players this summer, and he had to. Leeds have lost five key players from Daniel Farke’s squad that won promotion to the Premier League.
Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell’s loans expired, while Junior Firpo and Josuha Guilavogui have left the club on a free. Max Wober, meanwhile, has completed a loan move to German side Werder Bremen.
Leeds are expected to announce Longstaff by the end of the week, a fifth addition before the middle of July. A good start, but there is plenty still to be done by Underwood and his transfer team at Leeds.
Emi Buendia in action for Bayer Leverkusen during his loan spell.
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Leeds take new stance on Aston Villa playmaker Emi Buendia
Still to be sorted is the need for a goalkeeper, another midfielder, a no.10, a replacement on the left flank for Manor Solomon, and a starting striker. One option for the 10 role is Farke’s old ace Emi Buendia.
Farke wanted him in January, and has been told that Buendia will cost £20m. Well, Graeme Bailey has now exclusively told LeedsUnited.News that Leeds have changed tack, and are pursuing a loan with an option.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke clapping after a Championship game against Portsmouth.
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It comes after Buendia returned to Villa after a loan at Leverkusen in the second half of last season: “I am told that Leeds want Buendia on loan with an option to sign him – think Leeds are waiting Villa out.”
Marcelo Bielsa also wanted to sign Emi Buendia at Leeds United
A move to Elland Road has been long in the works for Buendia, who eventually left Norwich to join Aston Villa and become a club-record signing at £40m for the Midlands side. But Leeds also wanted Buendia.
Marcelo Bielsa during his stint as Leeds United manager.
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Indeed, the summer of 2020 saw The Daily Mail say Marcelo Bielsa was eyeing a £25m move for Buendia. It came after Buendia was relegated with Farke in 2019-20, but Buendia remained with The Canaries.
Promotion came the next season and that summer, in 2021, he joined Villa. Now, after five years of links with a move to Elland Road, Buendia remains a priority for Leeds and a loan-to-buy deal is on the cards.