Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendía regained full fitness last July, after missing the 2023/24 season due to a serious injury.
The Argentina international was limited to 89 minutes from 12 Premier League games this season and subcequently Aston Villa allowed him to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan in January.
Kicker state the German champions have secured a €20m buying option and provides an update on their plans for him.
The 28-year-old is ahead of Jonas Hofmann in the pecking order at Bayer Leverkusen, but his situation hasn’t improved a lot. The former Norwich City man made one league start and Xabi Alonso has mainly used him as a substitute.
Kicker are mainly focusing on the Bundesliga club’s interest in Hertha Berlin’s Ibrahim Maza. The potential move for the 19-year-old depends on whether a position in the squad becomes available.
According to the report, this should happen with Buendía’s return to the Premier League club in the summer. Hofmann has lost prominence since the Aston Villa man’s arrival and is expected to leave in the next window.
In short, Bayer Leverkusen are not expecting to have both Buendía and Hofmann next season.
The South American’s contract at Villa Park expires in 2027 and Unai Emery and Monchi have a decision to make on his future in the summer.