Leeds United finally have their answer on long-term Premier League target Emi Buendia, whose Aston Villa situation remains a difficult one.
For a while now, Leeds United have been linked with Emi Buendia at Aston Villa, with a loan move mooted ahead of the January transfer window.
Leeds first showed an interest in Buendia in the summer. Soon after the summer window closed, it was revealed that Buendia rejected a move to Leeds.
Then earlier in December, Leeds were linked with Buendia once again. There’s been a lot of back and forth, but recently, it was claimed that Buendia joining Leeds on loan was unlikely to happen in January.
The 28-year-old has featured just nine times in the Premier League with Villa this season. He’s yet to score or claim an assist either, with all nine of his appearances coming off the bench.
Buendia earned a £33million move from Norwich City to Aston Villa in 2021 after a stunning 2020/21 campaign in the Championship, scoring 15 and assisting 16 in 35 outings for Daniel Farke’s Canaries.
Emi Buendia doesn’t fancy Championship move amid Leeds United interest
An emerging report from GIVEMSPORT has put the final nail in the coffin for Leeds where a move for Buendia is regarded.
They write that ‘Leeds will not land Emiliano Buendia during the winter transfer window’, as Buendia ‘is not interested in dropping into the Championship for regular game time’.
Furthermore, GIVEMSPORT add that Villa want all of Buendia’s £75,000-a-week wages covering if they’re to send him out on loan during the January transfer window.
The news on Buendia means that ‘alternative targets being earmarked’ by Leeds United ahead of the transfer window officially opening for business on Wednesday.
One Aston Villa man won’t be joining Leeds United, but another might be
Buendia joining certainly would’ve added that necessary bit of star quality that teams need to break out of the Championship.
But for Leeds, it always seemed like a hopeful pursuit. There is hope that Leeds can land a Premier League man on loan in January though, in the form of Buendia’s Villa teammate Louie Barry.
Leeds are keen on signing Barry on loan from Aston Villa after he was recalled from his 15-goal loan spell with Stockport County in League One.
Villa seem to be taking their time to decide the next best step for Barry. But if Leeds, the top team in the Championship are interested, it could be an easy decision for both Barry and Villa.
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