Leeds United set to face Aston Villa star who they could have signed for just £5m
Leeds United supporters will hope their side’s fortunes transform after the international break ahead of the clash against Aston Villa.
Leeds were beaten 3-1 by Nottingham Forest last time out, as Daniel Farke was placed under increasing pressure following their fourth defeat in five matches.
The loss at the City Ground left the Whites 16th in the Premier League table, and worryingly, only one point above 18th-place West Ham.
For the German boss to save his job long-term and increase hopes of avoiding the drop, Leeds must improve in front of goal against Aston Villa on Sunday, having found the net just 10 times in 11 matches.
But it isn’t just the lack of goals that will worry supporters, as one player Leeds almost signed in the past could return to haunt them.
Leeds United could have signed John McGinn for £5m
According to the Scottish Sun, the West Yorkshire outfit lined up a £2.5million bid for John McGinn in the summer of 2018, but failed to meet Hibernian’s £5m asking price, and that will have annoyed then-manager Marcelo Bielsa.
McGinn was instead snapped up for around £2.75m by Villa a month later, with the Midlands side taking advantage of Hibs’ desperation to sell the midfielder.
It was understandable why Leeds didn’t match the asking price for someone unproven in English football, although fans will wish they did.
The Scottish machine has become one of Aston Villa’s greatest modern signings and achieved the unthinkable at Villa Park, including winning promotion to the Premier League in 2018 and qualifying for the Champions League in 2024.
McGinn has also demonstrated his eye for goal with 33 goals and 41 assists for the club in seven years, while recently surpassing 300 appearances.
This weekend, the 31-year-old will be fuelled to prove Leeds were wrong to not sign him all those years ago, and he isn’t the only one.
Emi Buendia can also damage Leeds United
In the summer transfer window, Leeds rejected the chance to sign Emi Buendia on loan from Villa, and he’s since produced five goal involvements in nine matches.
For all of his injury concerns, something that arguably put Farke off signing him, the 28-year-old has proven to be one of the division’s best playmakers this term.
| Emi Buendia’s Premier League 2025/26 stats |
| 9 appearances |
| 3 goals |
| 2 assists |
| 1.7 shots per game |
| 20% goal conversion |
| 1 foul drawn per game |
The former Norwich City man is finally playing some of his best football in claret and blue, which won’t fill the hosts with confidence of stopping him at Elland Road.
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