Revealed: Aston Villa fans will love why Buendia chose to join them ahead of Arsenal
Emiliano Buendia decided to join Aston Villa ahead of Arsenal because of their towering ambition and plans to join the Premier League elite, Football Insider understands.
The Norwich City playmaker has agreed to join Villa after their £33m-plus-add-ons offer was accepted.
He is putting the finishing touches to the club-record transfer after also agreeing personal terms.
Buendia had his heart set on heading to Villa after being convinced by their “huge” ambition and plans to strengthen this summer and in the coming years.
That will be music to the ears of Villa fans, who have been excited by the team’s steady improvement during the reign of billionaire owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris.
Arsenal also bid over £30m-plus for top target Buendia but learned yesterday they had lost out to Villa.
Buendia scored 15 goals and picked up 17 assists last season as Norwich romped to the Championship title.
He was named as the Championship Player of the Season after his incredible personal campaign.
He signed for Norwich from Spanish side Getafe in the summer of 2018.
During his debut Premier League season he picked up one goal and seven assists.
He finished that campaign as one of the league’s standout stars as only three men created more chances than him. [Opta]
One of the only players to finish ahead of him was future teammate Jack Grealish.
Buendia was excellent during Norwich’s relegation campaign and it was a boost when he chose to stay at Carrow Road.
He now has the chance to play in the top flight again with his transfer to Villa all but confirmed.
In other news, Aston Villa have set their sights on signing a striker from a north-west club and £40million will seal the deal.