Leeds United chief confirms failed transfer bid for £38m Aston Villa star

Leeds United chief excutive Angus Kinnear has revealed that they made an approach to Aston Villa for Emi Buendia during the summer transfer window.

The Whites saw several of their first-team players depart for big money including Archie Gray, Crysenico Summerville, and Georginio Rutter, which brought them more than £100m in player sales. To combat losing such an array of attacking talent, they made an approach to Villa to see if Argentine midfielder Buendia was available, however they were rebuffed in their approach.

Speaking on the Square Ball podcast, Kinnear said: “I can talk specifically about two examples... Two players that would fit the bill significantly better than who we have currently and bear in mind we're looking at replacing a £40m player which is obviously going to be challenging at Championship level.

“Buendia was on our list, and very clearly [the feedback] from Aston Villa [was that he] wasn’t going to be released, and the player didn’t want to come back down. He felt he’d served his time at Championship level.”

The 27-year-old spent the entirety of the 2023/24 season out with a knee injury, but is now back and available for selection. He was an unused substitute against West Ham, Arsenal and Leicester City, but featured for the under-21s during the international break.

Buendia, who signed for Villa in June 2021 for a then club record of £38m, netted twice in a 3-2 win against Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy. He was named in Villa’s 25-man squad for the Premier League season, and is also in their Champions League list.

His decision to remain at Villa Park hinted that he backs himself to recover from his ACL injury that he suffered last season, as he bids to get back in to Emery’s plans. When Villa signed Buendia, he was crowned the Championship’s Player of the Season, having racked up 16 assists and 15 goals for Norwich City, but now believes he is above that level.

In the two full seasons Buendia has spent at Villa Park, he's racked up nine goals and nine assists in 78 games, with 27 of those coming under Emery. He is now tasked with competing with the likes of Ross Barkley, Jacob Ramsey, and Morgan Rogers for a starting berth.