That Daniel Farke was aware of Emiliano Buendia’s situation at Aston Villa in January was notable. Unai Emery had left the door open for a loan spell away and the Leeds United boss had noted it.
Following January's 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, Farke boss was respectfully reluctant to directly express any interest in the midfielder, whom he labelled as one of his “best players” at former club Norwich City.
Buendia - who in the end joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan - played 121 matches under Farke at Carrow Road, scoring 24 times and registering 41 assists. As it happens, he has also played 121 Premier League matches, with a lower return of 10 goals and 15 assists.
Of course, there is always ambiguity over whether a player can reach his previous performance levels following a cruciate ligament injury, a setback which wiped out the whole of the 2023/24 season for Buendia.
But muscle memory always remains present and Farke clearly remains an admirer. “I never comment about players under contract for other teams,” he said at the time. “I wouldn't expect another manager to make a comment about my players.
“If he's not in a white shirt or a yellow shirt we don't speak about them. We just speak about business when it's done. I think he just spoke in general about this, the door is perhaps open.
“I've also read the comments because I'm interested in football and also the Premier League. I think he just spoke in general and he has not said the door is open for Leeds United, he's said it's open for a loan.
“Obviously I've worked with Emi Buendia in former years, he was one of my best players, I really rate him but I don't comment on the situation of a player right now playing for a different side.”
Farke was restricted from spending in the January transfer market, admitting after promotion that he was "jealous" that other clubs were able to bring players in. That said, he and the club did set a strict transfer criteria.
“I will never rule out business for us because if you find a player who improves your squad, why not? But also they need to have a really good character and be affordable,” Farke explained.
Leeds need to put more of an emphasis on recruiting quality this summer but the two aforementioned criteria facets are still very important. While United now have more to splash, they still battle tight spending limits and, amidst a probable relegation battle, good characters will be needed.
Farke clearly believes Buendia has good character given his appraisal of him. The Whites boss had made it clear that Brenden Aaronson is his primary number 10 pick over the last term but it is clear he is below the standard required for the Premier League.
Buendia would still be a risk given he started just three of his 14 matches at Leverkusen and thus it remains unclear how durable he is post-injury. But two goals from that time is not a bad sign and shows his end-product radar remains active.
His Premier League and European experience is appealing too. Few would grimace if Buendia does come into Farke's sights once again. Then it's all about the price tag.