Confidence is not exactly high on the Elland Road terraces regarding Leeds United’s chances of luring Aston Villa playmaker Emi Buendia to West Yorkshire this month.
Especially not after the Argentina international started, and impressed, during Aston Villa’s 1-0 Champions League defeat at AS Monaco on Tuesday night.
Included in Unai Emery’s XI for only the third time this season – and the first outside of the Carabao Cup – the Leeds United-linked Emi Buendia provided a timely reminder as to why Aston Villa paid £30 million to secure his services in the first place.
Lining up just behind the frontman, Buendia slipped in Ollie Watkins with one inch-perfect first-half pass. After the ball rolled loose to Leon Bailey, only a fine save from Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki denied Villa an equaliser in the French principality.
It was Buendia’s dancing feet which helped set up another chance – this time Majecki denied Watkins – while an impudent backheel just before the hour led to an opportunity squandered by Matty Cash.
Leeds United News exclusively reported, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Leeds remain committed to reuniting Daniel Farke with Emi Buendia during the winter window. The complicating factor, however, is that Aston Villa want an obligation-to-buy clause included in his contract, in the scenario that Leeds secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Bailey remains of the opinion that a deal could happen. That, though, is not a confidence shared by many Leeds supporters.
Leeds United fans pessimistic regarding potential Emi Buendia deal
“Leeds United going after Buendia, clearly we are not getting him if he’s starting [in the Champions League]! Go get the next target,” one frustrated fan writes on social media. “We need a ten and centre-back coming in, other teams are strengthening around us!
“Unforgivable if you do nothing this January.”
“Villa started Buendia tonight so I guess that ends that talk,” writes another.
“Buendia playing well in the Champions League tonight,” points out one particularly glass-half-empty supporter. “And some Leeds fans think he’s coming to the Championship on loan.”
Unai Emery admits Buendia could still leave Aston Villa
Now, Leeds’ hopes are not dead yet. Far from it, in fact.
It is understood that Emi Buendia has little interest in returning to Argentina with River Plate, preferring to stay in Europe. Bailey also told Leeds United News that Aston Villa would rather Buendia join Leeds, in the knowledge that they could stump up a higher fee than the likes of La Liga strugglers Valencia.
Furthermore, while Emery was full of praise for Buendia’s impact on a very rare start in Villa colours, the former Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain coach still admitted that a transfer could be on the cards at some point in the coming days.
“I was especially happy with Emi Buendia today,” Emery said in his post-match press conference. “He has the option to leave but we needed him. We played fantastic with his qualities, his mentality and his commitment to this squad.”
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