Emi Buendía and Leeds United: A Potential Reunion That Could Define Both Player and Club This Summer
The summer transfer window is often shaped by narratives that stretch beyond spreadsheets, wages, and contracts. It is driven just as much by familiarity, belief, and second chances. Few potential moves embody that mix better than the growing links between Emiliano Buendía and Leeds United.
As Leeds prepare for a long-awaited return to the Premier League, the club’s rebuild is gathering serious momentum under the calm, methodical guidance of Daniel Farke. And with Leeds actively searching for a new creative force to operate in the number 10 role, the possibility of reuniting Farke with his former talisman at Norwich City is not just plausible — it’s increasingly compelling.
⚽ From Carrow Road to the Bundesliga — Buendía’s Twisting Journey
Emiliano Buendía arrived in England from Getafe in 2018, a relatively unknown playmaker signed by Norwich City. What followed over the next three seasons was a meteoric rise that saw the Argentine establish himself as one of the most technically gifted players outside the Premier League — and eventually, within it.
Under Daniel Farke’s stewardship, Buendía flourished. During the 2018–19 Championship season, he scored eight goals and assisted a further 12, helping Norwich secure promotion. Even when Norwich were relegated the following year, Buendía stood out as a rare bright light in a struggling team. In the 2020–21 Championship campaign, he was even better: 15 goals, 16 assists, and countless moments of creative magic, again leading the Canaries to the top flight.
That kind of form earned him a £15 million move to Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, a club then aiming to fill the creative void left by Jack Grealish’s departure to Manchester City. It was, at the time, seen as a savvy and ambitious signing.
But the move hasn’t quite worked out.
Over two and a half seasons at Villa Park, Buendía struggled for consistency. He showed flashes of brilliance — a clever assist here, a curling goal there — but never seemed to fully convince any of the managers in charge that he should be a guaranteed starter. His defensive work rate was never in question, but in a more rigid tactical setup under Unai Emery, his creative instincts often looked stifled.
The writing was on the wall when, in January 2025, he was sent on loan to Bayer Leverkusen. There, under the expansive, possession-based football of Xabi Alonso, Buendía managed to revive his form in patches. Eleven appearances and two goals suggest a player still capable of making an impact, even at a top European club. But ultimately, Leverkusen opted against activating their £16.7 million option to buy, and the midfielder returned to Villa Park with his future unresolved.
🏟️ Leeds United’s Premier League Return: A Club on the Rise Again
Back in Yorkshire, a resurgent Leeds United are preparing for a Premier League campaign that many believe could finally solidify the club’s top-flight credentials. After several seasons of instability — from the dizzying highs of Bielsa to the chaos of multiple managerial changes — Daniel Farke has brought balance, control, and long-term planning.
Promoted from the Championship after a campaign built on tactical discipline and intelligent squad rotation, Leeds have wasted no time in reinforcing key areas of the pitch.
The signings of Sean Longstaff (£15m from Newcastle United) and Anton Stach (£17m from Hoffenheim) signal not only intent, but a clear vision. Both players offer energy, tactical awareness, and technical ability in midfield — characteristics Farke values enormously. But despite the midfield reinforcements, one role remains glaringly vacant: the creative link between midfield and attack.
The “number 10” — a role Leeds have struggled to adequately fill since the early Premier League days under Bielsa — is now Farke’s next priority. The manager has already indicated that his system demands a technically sharp, positionally intelligent playmaker. And among the shortlisted options, one name has surfaced repeatedly: Emiliano Buendía.
🔁 A Relationship Built on Trust: Buendía and Farke
For any manager, trust in a player is priceless. For Buendía and Farke, that trust was foundational to their success at Norwich City. The Argentine wasn’t just another player in that side — he was the creative force, given full license to roam between lines, drift into pockets, and link up with Teemu Pukki in one of the Championship’s most devastating attacking partnerships in recent memory.
In a recent interview, Buendía openly spoke about his admiration for Farke:
“One of the most important coaches in my career. He gave me the chance to join the club, of course.
For me, the most important thing he gave me as a player — he gave me the confidence to be myself, to enjoy, to feel free on the pitch.”
That kind of public endorsement is rare, and it says everything about the relationship between the two. It also fuels the belief that a reunion might be more than just a rumour — it could be a shared project waiting to be reignited.
🧠 Tactical Fit: Why Buendía Still Makes Sense
Farke’s system relies heavily on technical control in central areas and structured positional play. In his 4-2-3-1 setup, the number 10 is not just a creative outlet but also a pressing trigger and positional fulcrum. That’s where Buendía excels.
Despite his modest frame, Buendía is incredibly industrious without the ball. He’s an aggressive presser, a relentless runner, and tactically disciplined — qualities that often go overlooked when evaluating flair players. Add to that his vision, close control, and ability to play the final ball, and it’s clear why Farke sees him as a key target.
💸 The Market: What’s Holding It Up?
So why hasn’t a deal been done?
According to Express and Star, Aston Villa are actively looking to move Buendía on this summer and are open to offers. Leeds have been monitoring the situation since January, but as of now, no formal approach has been made. There are a few possible reasons for that:
Budget prioritization: Leeds have already spent over £30 million this window, and might be weighing up the cost of Buendía against other targets like Gustavo Hamer.
Injury risk: Buendía missed the early part of last season with an ACL injury. Though he returned in January, any lingering doubts about his fitness could give clubs pause.
Wage structure: Having played at two Premier League clubs and been on loan at a Champions League side, Buendía’s wages may require negotiation.
That said, the cost is far from prohibitive. If Villa are willing to sell for around £12–15 million — close to what they paid in 2021 — Leeds may see that as a bargain for a player still in his prime.
🔮 The Verdict: What It Could Mean
A move to Leeds would represent a reset for Buendía and a statement of ambition for the Whites. For the player, it’s a chance to rediscover his best form under a manager who knows how to use him. For the club, it’s an opportunity to add Premier League experience, creative flair, and proven Championship pedigree to a squad already blending youth, energy, and tactical clarity.
If this deal happens, it may not dominate headlines across Europe. But in the context of what Leeds are building, and what Buendía still has to offer, it could prove to be one of the most significant transfers of their summer.
📅 What’s Next?
Leeds play a behind-closed-doors friendly in Germany this weekend. With the new season fast approaching, the club is expected to move quickly on their next key target. Whether that ends up being Buendía or someone else, the message is clear: Leeds United are serious about staying in the Premier League — and Daniel Farke knows exactly the kind of players he needs to do it.
The door is open. Now it’s up to Leeds — and perhaps Buendía — to walk through it.