Leeds United’s hopes of signing Aston Villa playmaker Emi Buendia have been dented, with David Ornstein reporting that the Argentinian could now remain at Villa Park.
Having held an interest in the player since the summer, much has been said in the January window about Leeds’ aim of securing a loan for Emi Buendia to bring the Argentine to Elland Road for the rest of the season.
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are also in the race for Buendia, with the Germans said to be keen on arranging a loan deal for the player. It is believed that Villa would want an obligation to buy as part of the negotiations.
Buendia massively struggled for minutes in the opening months of the current campaign. He has not yet started a Premier League game for the Villans, appearing only as a substitute for Unai Emery’s side both domestically and on the continent.
The Spaniard admitted, earlier this month, that Buendia may depart Aston Villa for more minutes, making it all the more surprising when he was named as a starter for their Champions League clash with Monaco. Buendia put in a brilliant performance, so good in fact, that it now appears he will remain with Villa for the rest of the season and longer still.
Leeds target Emi Buendia extends stay at Aston Villa
Despite all of the rumours surrounding Buendia over January, it seems that a departure is now unlikely.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Buendia had reached an agreement with Villa to extend his contract by a further year to 2027, further clarifying that, regardless of interest from elsewhere, it now appears that the 28-year-old will not be moving anywhere.
The news will come as a hammer blow to Farke and Leeds United, with the Whites’ having evidently been keen on a player who used to play under the German at Norwich City.
Leeds will, presumably, still hope to draft in some cover for the number 10 position prior to the February 3rd transfer deadline, but they will now have to look elsewhere to secure a deal.
Leeds must step up transfer activity after Buendia failure
Transfer rumours for Leeds this month have been scarce, as has often been the case for the Whites in recent years, who make few additions in the winter window.
Buendia is one of only a few names to be suggested as a target for Farke’s side, though perhaps Leeds could look internally to offer cover to Aaronson.
Willy Gnonto is a winger by trade, but has been deployed as a number 10 in the past, both for Leeds and the Italian national side. A diminutive player, Gnonto has the creativity and keen eye for creation that is required by any attacking midfielder.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 53 | 19 | 34 | 59 |
| 2 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 29 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 58 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 28 | 15 | 11 | 2 | 36 | 9 | 27 | 56 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 29 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 55 |
| 5 |  West BromWest Brom | 29 | 10 | 14 | 5 | 38 | 25 | 13 | 44 |
The Whites could also use Manor Solomon, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, but whether Farke would look to disrupt the form that he is building on the flank is another question.
It is apparent that Farke is happy with Aaronson, the American having rarely been dropped throughout the campaign. Every player, though, needs cover.
If Farke is reluctant to use a player already at his disposal in that position and Buendia remains with Aston Villa, then the German must find a suitable player to bring in for the sake of United’s promotion push.
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