Emi Buendia has been strongly linked with a move to Leeds United this month as Daniel Farke eyes a new no.10 to provide competition for Brenden Aaronson at Elland Road.
But, news has emerged over the weekend. It is that Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in doing a deal for Argentina international Emi Buendia, who has struggled for game time at Villa this term.
That is until Unai Emery decided to throw Buendia into his starting line-up when Villa went to Monaco in the Champions League last week. Buendia was one of Villa’s best players, but the Midlands side lost 1-0.
Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News there is a ‘good chance’ of Leeds signing Buendia. The Whites are said to be waiting until the final days of the window before pouncing and landing the Argentine.
The one advantage Leeds over Leverkusen in Emi Buendia race
Buendia is said to be interested in doing a deal with Leverkusen. Understandable, given they remain in the Champions League and are second in the Bundesliga, only six points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
However, Leeds do have a potential advantage. The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports on his Patreon channel that Leeds are actually willing to buy Buendia before the February 3 deadline, are and ready to pay up for him.
Get German Football News say that Leverkusen only have a budget of £17m this month. Indeed, they are only willing to sign Buendia on loan and it might just mean Villa prefer to sell Buendia to Elland Road.
What Daniel Farke has said about Emi Buendia in the past
Recently, Farke was asked about interest from Leeds in Buendia. He responded by saying he would not talk about other clubs’ players – before explaining how he really rates his old Norwich City playmaker.
Discussing Buendia after he scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Swansea in 2020, Farke said Buendia has “unbelievable quality” on Norwich’s site and was delighted to have him at his disposal.
Whether Leeds can strike a deal that sees Farke boast Buendia once again remains to be seen. It is a tall order to be able to take on Leverkusen but if Leeds put their money where their mouth is, who knows.
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