A priority for Leeds United this summer will be signing a new no.10. Focus is being placed on a centre-back, midfielder and a striker – but replacing Brenden Aaronson will be high on the agenda.
Leeds welcomed back Brenden Aaronson after the American earned criticism. Not only did he fail to live up to his £25m price tag during 2022-23, he then rubbed salt in wounds by jumping ship to go on loan.
Aaronson returned after his loan at Union Berlin and immediately won back the love of fans, after his goal against Portsmouth. He was excellent during the first half of the season but in the second, he struggled.
Aaronson had aimed for 30 goals and assists, but ended with 11 – despite starting 44 of 46 Championship matches. He was criticised for his end product, holding onto the ball for too long, and his physicality.
Leeds need to replace Aaronson and after being linked with Emi Buendia in January, the Argentine is back on Leeds’ radar this summer. Buendia has returned to Villa after a loan spell with Bayer Leverkusen.
How much Villa want for Emi Buendia with Leeds keen again
Buendia, of course, is a player that made his name under Daniel Farke at Norwich. The two combined to get Norwich promoted and then he impressed in the Premier League under Farke, before joining Villa.
Villa paid £40m for Buendia, but the playmaker has since suffered injuries and while he has proven his fitness again, he is not getting the game time to get back to his best. Villa are open to Buendia leaving.
According to TeamTalk, Unai Emery’s side are willing to sell the Argentina international for a fee of £20m this summer. The former Getafe star has a contract at Aston Villa until the summer of 2027.
How Emi Buendia feels about a reunion with Daniel Farke at Leeds
Leeds were well in the mix to sign Buendia in January, but the issue was clear. Buendia did not want to drop into the Championship. Of course, that is no longer an issue and Buendia is available once again.
There’s no doubt that Buendia is an improvement on Aaronson. Easily outdoing him in the Championship, Buendia is also much more proven in the Premier League. Buendia is keen for a ‘fresh start’ this summer.
Where better than rejoining the manager that got his best career form out of him, in the Premier League? Graeme Bailey told TBR Football last week that he expects Leeds will sign Buendia, or Gustavo Hamer.
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