Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Thu 19 March 2026 21:10, UK

Leeds United have long been linked with a move for Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia.

The Argentine has featured under Daniel Farke in the past and has been of interest to the Whites on many occasions over the years.

A move to Elland Road was mooted in the Championship before promotion was sealed, but the 29-year-old didn’t want to play in the Championship.

That interest then continued into the Premier League, but the attacking midfielder’s services were required at Villa Park this season.

Buendia could remain as a Leeds target moving into the summer window, with a move away from the Midlands potentially likely.

Emi Buendia exit mooted at Aston Villa

It looked as if the Yorkshire outfit had missed out on a total gem after the number 10 had a stellar start to the season at Villa Park.

Buendia became one of the standout performers in the Premier League at one stage, with the majority of his 13 goal involvement tally coming in the first half of the campaign.

His output has since fallen off in claret and blue, and that has resulted in plenty of frustration surrounding his place in the side under Unai Emery.

The Spaniard clearly believes in his talents and continues to pick him every week, but former Villa scout Bryan King believes a summer exit could be in the pipeline.

Speaking to Villa News, he said: “Does he need a new challenge now? If those things are joined together, it may be time for him to leave. I think he could be moved on, let’s put it that way.

“There’s no chance they get the £33million they paid for him, no chance. There will be a club out there that wants to take him, that’s the way it goes.”

If a summer deal is on the table at Villa Park, Leeds could once again move for Buendia and make another attempt to hand Farke a reliable lieutenant of his.

Leeds United could sign Buendia for cut-price fee

If King is right and the Argentine is to move on from B6, it could be music to Farke’s ears after parting ways with the attacker in 2021.

Buendia was a blockbuster star for Norwich City in the Championship, scoring 15 and assisting 16 as the Canaries were promoted to the Premier League.

Things haven’t been quite as explosive at Villa Park, but this season has undoubtedly been his best in terms of tangible results in front of goal.

That has only made him a more desirable target, so the recent frustration surrounding his form could be the perfect storm for Leeds to land his signature.

Villa could be set for a major overhaul moving into the next campaign and will be keen to bring in as much money as possible.

Even with that being the case, Buendia could be on the move for a fee that looks likely to be nothing like the £33m the Villans paid five years ago.