Leeds United and Aston Villa may both be happy to sit down and talk Emi Buendia, but this does not make matters any easier.
Far from it.
According to sports writer Graeme Bailey, the Championship leaders and Premier League giants are indulging in some brinkmanship as the transfer window closes.
Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s manager, is keeping things quiet. However, the fact that Emi Buendia has not started a Premier League game this season, averaging six minutes on the pitch in 11 substitute appearances, does not suggest that the Argentina international is an important part of the Spaniard’s plans.
Leeds United is hesitant to reveal their hand in the hopes that Villa’s poker face will falter in the lead-up to deadline day, even if Daniel Farke clearly enjoys the opportunity to rejoin with Buendia.
Emi Buendia’s Leeds United contract should include an obligation-to-buy provision, according to Aston Villa.
Bailey says, “Leeds is playing the long game with him.” They will have a better chance of obtaining him the longer it remains in the window.
It’s no secret that they like him. Buendia is viewed by them as the final spark that will push them over the edge.
According to Bailey, Aston Villa wants Buendia’s contract to include an obligation-to-buy clause.
Therefore, regardless of how Farke’s former Norwich City playmaker performs between now and June, Leeds would be forced to permanently purchase Aston Villa’s £30 million benchwarmer if they were promoted.
Leeds might favor a less risky option given Buendia’s lack of recent game participation—he missed a year of action between 2023 and 2024 because of an ACL injury. An “option-to-buy” as opposed to a duty.
Villa wants a duty in the event that Leeds is promoted. It’s something Leeds is considering. What will tell us everything is how much Farke wants Buendia,” Bailey continues. “Buendia is part of [Farke’s] Premier League plans.
The Leeds management will now ask Farke, “Do you really see Buendia [as a long-term signing]?” If you don’t view him as part of the Premier League plans, we won’t give him the enormous salary he is currently receiving and a loan fee for a few months.
Villa is now demanding an obligation. It’s unclear if they will still arrive during the final week of the window.
Leeds is more likely than Valencia to acquire a benchwarmer from Aston Villa.
Leeds does have the advantage of understanding that Elland Road is Aston Villa’s favored location for Buendia.
Spanish combatants Buendia has little interest in rejoining River Plate in Argentina, and Valencia would find it difficult to pay his £75,000 weekly salary.
Villa wants him to move to Leeds rather than Spain because of his pay and the coverage they can provide. Villa will push him to Leeds, but they won’t force him to leave. Valencia lacks the financial resources to compete with Leeds.
One to watch out for. I see it taking place. If it doesn’t, it indicates that Leeds does not consider him to be a part of the [long-term] plans. However, I anticipate that he will participate with a duty. I’ve heard that there’s a fair chance they’ll do it if you bring him in and it gets [promotion] over the line.
They are thinking long-term and think the more they wait, the better the offer will be. There is genuine interest in that. They genuinely desire him.
Leeds’ approach can be considered as “high-risk.” But at a time when their promotion opponents are making some major splashes—Sunderland signed Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee, while Sheffield United will significantly bolster their frontline with Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz—Buendia would be a clear indication of Leeds’ own intentions.
Meanwhile, someone else might have already been considered as an alternative to the Aston Villa number ten.
Leeds United have a ‘concrete’ interest in Alvyn Sanches of Swiss outfit Lausanne Sport, according to reporter Ben Jacobs. Of course, Sanches lacks Buendia’s established championship record, but the 21-year-old is younger, less expensive, and unquestionably more fit.
Reporter Ben Jacobs claims that Leeds United has a “concrete” interest in Alvyn Sanches of Lausanne Sport, a Swiss team. Of course, Sanches lacks Buendia’s established championship record, but the 21-year-old is younger, less expensive, and unquestionably more fit.
