Aston Villa ‘ready to sell’ Emi Buendía to Premier League rivals in the summer transfer window

Aston Villa are reportedly ready to sell attacking midfielder Emi Buendía to newly promoted Premier League side Leeds United.

Villa have been working to offload a number of players deemed surplus to requirements and Buendía is regarded as expendable despite frequent involvement in Villa’s pre-season friendlies this summer.

The former Norwich City man has been subject to the interest of Leeds for some time. He would be reunited with former Canaries manager Daniel Farke, now in charge at Leeds and looking to bring in players for their top-flight return.

Farke seemingly believes he can help Buendía revive his career. He sees him as a number 10 but the former Norwich boss might ask him to adapt to his current preferred 4-3-3 formation, in which he could play as a number 8.

According to Transfermarkt, Buendía’s market value is £15 million, with his contract expiring in June 2027. Villa are believed to want to sell him for around £16 million plus add-ons, but Leeds might not be willing match his price tag.

Buendía broke through at Carrow Road

Buendía was one of the key men in Farke’s Norwich side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and 2021. He played primarily on the right-wing but showed the skills required to be an effective number 10 too.

The Argentinian attacking midfielder featured in 121 games for Norwich, registering 24 goals 41 assists but contributing more regularly in the Championship rather than the Premier League. He scored one goal and claimed seven assists in his single Premier League season with the Norfolk club.

A frustrating spell at Villa Park

The 28-year-old arrived at Villa Park in 2021 following Norwich’s second promotion to the Premier League in three years. He signed with the Villans for what was then a club record £33 million plus add-ons. Villa saw off Arsenal for his signature.

But Buendía has not been able to live up to the fans’ expectations since joining Villa. He has made 97 appearances in all competitions so far but only managed to contribute 10 goals and nine assists. 

He did play regularly in his first two seasons but failed to make a huge impact on the team. In 2023/24 Buendía suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which kept him on the sideline for the whole season.

Last season, he was able to return but struggled to play regularly. The midfielder, who has one international cap, was loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen in the middle of the season. but was largely used as a substitute.

Buendía only scored two goals in 14 games in all competitions.

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