Emi Buendia set for new contract but Aston Villa may still sanction transfer
Aston Villa are set to secure a new contract agreement with Emiliano Buendia - but the Argentine could still then leave the club in this transfer window. Buendia signed for Villa from Norwich City in the summer of 2021, as the Lions looked to fill the void left by the departing Jack Grealish, and cost north of £30m when doing so.
The playmaker featured regularly under Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard, but in the summer of 2023 he suffered a knee injury which, along with teammate Tyrone Mings, kept him sidelined for the entirety of last season. He returned this campaign and has featured under Unai Emery, but has struggled for regular minutes and Premier League starts.
Indeed Buendia's only starts this season have come in the EFL Cup and in the recent Champions League defeat to Monaco, but Villa - who have been active in ensuring that players aren't left in vulnerable situations when it comes to contract statuses - are eager to tie the midfielder down. Reports suggest his new deal will run until 2027.
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Buendia, who turned 28 on Christmas Day, is still a wanted man this month, though; Villa have a week from now remaining of the transfer window and more arrivals are possible, Emery confirmed after the 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Sunday. He also admitted that Buendia could leave, when asked recently.
"He had last year a long injury but he started this year progressively getting better," Emery said. "He didn’t 100 percent in the season until now, but now he is playing more minutes and helping the team. Maybe he can have the possibility to leave. For him, it could be something where he can play more, get more minutes, get confidence again and being comfortable playing again in the starting XI."
Buendia has interest from reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen, who are reportedly in discussions with Villa about concluding a loan deal until the end of this season, something Villa could accommodate if they secure Buendia on an extended deal. Leeds United, under Daniel Farke who had Buendia at Norwich, are also interested.
