Leeds United chances of signing Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia increase as Xabi Alonso throws spanner in the works

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Leeds United and Emi Buendia could finally unite in the summer transfer window, with Daniel Farke having tried to get the deal done in January.

Emi Buendia was poised to be on the move during the January transfer window, having fell out of favour at Aston Villa under Unai Emery. Daniel Farke at Leeds United was keen on a reunion with his former Norwich City talisman.

It was always an ambitious link and it proved to be a step too far. In the end, Buendia joined Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on loan until the summer, though he’s not exactly hit the ground running.

Buendia’s Bayer Leverkusen debut was one to forget: Xabi Alonso brought him off the bench, only to bring him off again after half-an-hour. He’s since made one start for the German outfit, playing a handful of minutes in the last stages of the last two games.

Ahead of the summer, Leverkusen have been linked with James McAtee at Man City. Previously linked with Leeds United, McAtee is thought to be a prime target for Leverkusen, who’ve now added another Leeds target to their shortlist.

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Bayer Leverkusen join race for Leeds United target Pavel Sulc

Recent reports have revealed that Leeds United are interested in Pavel Sulc at Viktoria Plzeň. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is also liked by Aston Villa and Manchester City, though emerging reports have now added Bayer Leverkusen to the list of interested club.

Italian outlet tuttomercatoweb have revealed that Napoli, and Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and Leverkusen are making checks on Sulc ahead of the summer transfer window, in what can only be bad news for Leeds United with regards to a move for Sulc.

With regards to a move for Buendia, it could be great news for Farke who clearly seems keen on a reunion, with previous reports suggesting that Leeds United will target Buendia in the summer transfer window.

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How much will Aston Villa command for Emi Buendia this summer?

Despite signing a new Aston Villa contract before joining Leverkusen, it seems like Buendia remains surplus to requirements, and perhaps even more so after failing to impress at Leverkusen thus far.

But the German’s have a £16.7million option to buy Buendia in the summer, and that might be a huge indicator as to how much Villa would command for Buendia in the summer transfer window, should Leverkusen not sign him.

For Leeds, £16.7million for Buendia could be a bit of a bargain fee, especially if someone like Wilfried Gnonto leaves for big money as well. Leverkusen look increasingly unlikely to sign the Argentine and it’s opening the door for a Leeds move.