Emi Buendia signing: Adam Pope reacts to Leeds and Aston Villa speculation
Leeds United will not move for Aston Villa star Emi Buendia in the January transfer window, according to Adam Pope.
The Elland Road club has been linked with a swoop for the 28-year-old who has found playing time hard to come by at Villa Park so far this season.
Daniel Farke could do with a reliable option in the number ten role as his side battles for promotion to the Premier League, with Brenden Aaronson failing to impress due to inconsistent performances.
However, the BBC Radio Leeds reporter dismissed the chances of the Whites signing the former Norwich ace in a column on Leeds’ transfer plans [29 December], saying: “Emi Buendia has been linked before but the one-time Aston Villa record signing’s arrival at Elland Road even after only playing 48 minutes of Premier League football this season seems unlikely.”
Leeds United move makes sense for Buendia
A move back to the Championship would make perfect sense for Buendia after his struggles to impose himself on Unai Emery’s team.
The Argentina international enjoyed his best season in the second tier in the 2020/21 season when he scored 15 goals and notched 16 assists in 39 matches.
He has failed to replicate that kind of contribution in his time with the Villans and has notched just 17 goal contributions in 82 top-flight matches for the Midlands club.
Buendia was a focal point of Farke’s two-time promotion-winning side at Carrow Road and a move to rejoin the German manager could resurrect his career.
It could also do wonders for the Whites’ promotion push in the Championship, his creativity would be a game-changer at Elland Road and help unlock the likes of Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph upfront.
Their additions or lack of, could define whether Farke’s side secure promotion back to the Premier League and Buendia would almost certainly seal that if he can get back to his form of old.
In other Leeds news, a promotion rival player’s camp have claimed that the Whites want to sign him.
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