(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
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Sources: Leeds to pounce as Aston Villa green light Emi Buendia transfer

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

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Aston Villa will sanction a departure for Emiliano Buendia as they look to balance their books before the transfer window closes, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have said about Buendia's uncertain long-term future at Villa Park.

Buendia has made just 13 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa since suffering an ACL injury in August 2023, and was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen in the January window in a bid for more game-time.

The Argentina international scored twice in 14 appearances for the Bundesliga side, and Buendia could be return to Germany this summer after sources told Football Insider that Stuttgart are interested in him.

Sources have told Football Insider that Villa are open to letting Buendia leave the club this summer in an attempt to balance their books, alerting long-time admirers Leeds United to his potential availability.

Villa had been tipped to bring Buendia back into the first-team fold after his starring display in a 4-0 win over Roma in pre-season, including a well-taken free-kick goal, but an exit is now back on the cards.

Leeds were linked with a move for Buendia in January (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Leeds were linked with a move for Buendia in January (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Aston Villa spoilt for choice as Emi Buendia exit looms

Leeds had explored a deal to sign Buendia back in January after Unai Emery sanctioned a temporary departure for Villa's number 10, but the Argentine chose the Bundesliga over the Championship.

Speaking on the new Inside Track, O'Rourke stated that with Buendia set to be on the move again in the final days of the summer transfer window. Leeds, Stuttgart and several other clubs are ready to pounce.

“Aston Villa would be willing to let [Buendia] move on, just to help their cash flow and balance the books", he told Football Insider.

"Let's wait and see – Leeds United are in the market for a number 10, and Buendia would tick a lot of boxes.

"There’s also been interest from Stuttgart in Germany, and there will be a number of clubs looking at Buendia as a potential signing right up to the deadline."

Morgan Rogers playing for Aston Villa.
Buendia's potential sale could allow Aston Villa to keep hold of players like Rogers (Photo Credit: Imago)

Emi Buendia sale to save Aston Villa's window

Buendia is far from the only Villa playmaker linked with a move away, with Jacob Ramsey having already left for Newcastle and Morgan Rogers still a target for the likes of Tottenham as Deadline Day looms.

Villa's former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Tottenham have initiated talks over a late move for Rogers, but Emery is loathe to lose the England international and values Rogers at over £80million.

Rogers' price tag has been enough to fend off Tottenham's interest so far, and a permanent departure for Buendia could be the deal which gives Villa enough financial wriggle-room to retain their star asset .

Aston Villa
Leeds United
Stuttgart
Emiliano Buendia
Pete O'Rourke
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