Emi Buendia and Leeds United have been linked with each other for some time now, but this could be another transfer window where the opportunity passes.
Even stretching back to the January transfer window of this year, Leeds United have been showing an interest in Emi Buendia. Daniel Farke is a huge fan of his former Norwich City talisman, who now finds himself in a rather difficult position at Aston Villa.
Going into this summer’s transfer window, it looked as though Buendia was set to leave Aston Villa after his loan club in the second half of last season, Bayer Leverkusen, turned down the chance to sign Buendia on a permanent deal worth £17m.
But, seemingly against the odds, Buendia played himself back into contention at Aston Villa. Then, on the weekend, as Aston Villa insert results here, Buendia made his first league appearance of the season.
Though it wasn’t a welcome first appearance of the season as Buendia came off the bench in the first half, only to be brought back off again in the second half.
Brentford v Aston Villa - Premier League
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Leeds United transfer target Emi Buendia left fuming at Aston Villa
Shortly after conceding away at Brentford, Unai Emery was forced to bring off Boubacar Kamara and he replaced him with Buendia, but Buendia would come off again after the 75th minute of the game and Birmingham Live report how Buendia was showing ‘visible frustration’ with Emery as he was brought off.
Buendia apparently threw his arms up in the air as he was walking off the pitch before ‘tossing an armband aside as he made his way up the steps to his seat’. The same report adds that Buendia looked shocked that he had been brought off.
It’s coincidental timing given how Buendia has seemingly been on and off the verge of leaving Villa Park throughout the summer. Now with the summer transfer window closing next week, it could be time for Villa and Buendia to finally part ways.
Statistic Buendia vs Brentford
Touches 22
Passes 10
Pass % 91
Key passes 1
Duels won 2/9
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
The latest on Leeds United’s search for a new no.10
Leeds United still seem to be in the transfer market for a new number 10. That’s despite Farke having spent very well this summer with Leeds United recently completing the signing of James Justin from Leicester City.
And it’s another Leicester player in Bilal El Khannouss who Leeds United have seemed most keen on. But El Khannouss appears to be closer to joining Crystal Palace than Leeds, and so it looks like the Whites will have to shift their attentions elsewhere, potentially to Buendia.
Leeds have a four-player shortlist for the number 10 position, of which Buendia is of course one of them. The other names mentioned are Gustavo Hamer and Facundo Buonanotte at Brighton.
However, it seems as though Buonanotte could be set for a move to Europe, whilst Hamer will only leave Sheffield United for PSV this summer. Given those updates and the latest on El Khannouss, Buendia could once again become a key target for Leeds United.
With his Villa situation looking as though it’s becoming more and more tense, it could be the perfect time for Leeds United to strike.