Aston Villa playmaker targeted by newly-promoted club
Villa playmaker Emi Buendia has emerged as a target for Leeds this summer.
Buendia spent the second half of the season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen but the German club opted not to exercise an option to buy in the deal.
Villa are prepared to let their one-time record signing depart for the right fee and Leeds are thought to be among his suitors.
The newly-promoted Lilywhites failed in a bid to sign Buendia on loan in the Championship 12 months ago but reports have claimed they would be willing to pay around £17million for the Argentina international.
Buendia, who joined Villa from Norwich in a deal worth up to £38m four years ago, was a key member of the team which qualified for Europe in Unai’s first season in charge.
But the 28-year-old then suffered a serious knee injury which forced him to miss the whole of the 2023-24 season and he struggled for opportunities during the first half of this season, before being loaned out to Leverkusen.
Buendia agreed a contract extension through to 2027 as part of that deal, with Villa keen to protect his value.
Midfielder Leander Dendoncker is among the other fringe players who will be allowed to depart this summer, after spending last season on loan with Anderlecht.
Villa, meanwhile, are still waiting to learn whether RB Leipzig will trigger their option to buy right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic.
The Serbia international made 10 Bundesliga appearances while on loan over the second half of the season, with the option to buy clause potentially worth more than £12m.
