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Norwich City resigned to summer sale of Leeds United-linked Emiliano Buendia
Norwich City are resigned to losing Leeds United-linked playmaker Emiliano Buendia this summer, according to The Athletic.
Buendia, 25, has courted interest from a host of European clubs after some sensational displays for the Championship title winners, for who he registered 16 assists and scored 15 goals for this season.
French news outlet Foot Mercato reported earlier this month that Leeds were considering making an approach for the Argentine, less than a year after Phil Hay claimed the Whites first made contact with the Norfolk-based club over him.
Norwich refused to budge then, but The Athletic’s David Ornstein has detailed how their stance is set to change this year, despite their promotion back to the Premier League.
He wrote: ” The Athletic understands that Buendia and his employers accept this is the right time for him to take the next step in his career and the expectation is that he will depart in the upcoming market.
“It will require a fee of more than £40million.”
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Arsenal and Aston Villa are said to be keeping close tabs on Buendia.
Sprinkling of stardust
Buendia is a player who gets fans off seats and he would be a welcome addition to the Leeds squad as we prepare for our second successive season in the top-flight.
The 2020/21 campaign has only just drawn to its conclusion but the Whites board won’t be resting as they plot further improvements to the squad.
Marcelo Bielsa’s squad will be trimmed with the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi set to leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts next month, while Ezgjan Alioski could well follow suit.
We looked lightweight in midfield when Kalvin Phillips was absent this season and that’s sure to be an area director of football Victor Orta will seek to address.
Another option on the wing wouldn’t go amiss either, and Buendia is a player that can combine both roles.
He usually starts on the right for Norwich but drifts into the centre to weave his magic and unlock packed defences, so we think this would be a brilliant signing to really send shockwaves around the Premier League.
One sticking point, however, could be his hefty price tag, with the Whites sure to buckle at a fee in the region of £40-50million.
In other Leeds United news, Whites line up bid for exit-bound English ‘Revelation’ loved by Jeff Stelling.