Fresh Leeds United Emi Buendia boost as transfer 'preference' revealed amid River Plate links — YEP 20/1/25
By Kyle Newbould
Daniel Farke was asked about his former player following
Leeds United's weekend win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Leeds United could be boosted by a fresh update regarding
Emi Buendia, amid reports of the Aston Villa man’s January preference amid
links to South America.
Buendia’s name continues to dominate transfer talk
surrounding Leeds, with a creative No.10 the one position CEO Angus Kinnear
admitted to missing out on over the summer. The Argentinian was one of several
Premier League targets in that role but Aston Villa quickly made clear he was
not available.
Their stance looks to have changed following comments from
manager Unai Emery that he would not block a move if Buendia wanted more than
the 294 minutes he has earned so far this season. “For him, it could be
something where he can play more, get more minutes, get confidence again and be
comfortable playing again in the starting XI,” the Villa boss said.
Argentinian giants River Plate have recently been linked
with interest in the playmaker and an approach from them could prove tempting,
given they can offer-top flight football and a return to his home country. But
according to South American AS journalist Eduardo Burgos, Buendia’s ‘goal’ is
to stay in Europe.
Burgos reports that representatives of Buendia’s agency -
which is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina - are in London to work on their
client’s immediate future, with a move away from Villa Park possible. He adds
that despite reports of interest, River Plate are yet to approach Villa,
although they have contacted the player’s entourage.
At present, River Plate are the only club thought to have
made contact over Buendia this month, with no suggestion Leeds have reignited
summer interest. Elland Road chiefs maintain they expect a quiet month but
while Farke has mostly echoed that sentiment, two things could encourage them
to act.
The first is a major injury to one of his current crop, and
Leeds will now assess first-choice No.10 Brenden Aaronson after he hobbled off
during Sunday’s 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Secondly, an opportunity to
significantly improve the squad’s overall quality will be assessed, something
few would argue Buendia can do instantly.
“I never comment about players under contract for other
teams,” Farke said on Sunday in response to a question about Buendia. “I
wouldn't expect another manager to make a comment about my players. If he's not
in a white shirt or a yellow shirt we don't speak about them. We just speak
about business when it's done. I think he just spoke in general about this, the
door is perhaps open.