Report: Leeds United get green light to sign £40m no.10 from Premier League side, but only on loan
Leeds United are once again scouring the transfer market for a new attacking midfielder, as head coach Daniel Farke seeks to add serious competition in the No.10 role ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League. During the January window, Farke made no secret of his desire to bolster the squad with a player who could rival Brenden Aaronson in the central playmaker position. However, despite their best efforts, Leeds failed to bring in any reinforcements during the winter market.
Now, with the Championship title secured and promotion back to the Premier League confirmed, Leeds are expected to spend aggressively this summer. Their primary objective is clear: to strengthen key areas of the squad in order to avoid another relegation battle and firmly establish themselves in the top flight.
Among the top priorities for the Whites is reinforcing the core of the team. This includes signing a new first-choice goalkeeper, a reliable centre-back partner for Joe Rodon, more depth in central midfield, an upgrade on Aaronson in the No.10 position, and a proven striker who can deliver goals consistently at Premier League level.
While Brenden Aaronson started the 2024–25 campaign brightly, his form significantly tailed off as the season progressed. Despite starting 44 of Leeds’ 46 league matches, the American attacking midfielder ended the season with just nine goals and two assists—a modest return for a player expected to be a key creative force. That dip in productivity has prompted Leeds to look for a more dynamic and experienced option to pull the strings behind the striker.
One name that has re-emerged on Leeds’ radar is Emi Buendia. The Argentine playmaker, who made his name under Farke during their time at Norwich City, is currently back at Aston Villa after an underwhelming loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen in the second half of the 2024–25 season. Buendia finds himself slipping further down the pecking order at Villa Park, with his future at the club now uncertain.
Leeds previously tried to secure Buendia’s services in January, but the move failed to materialize as the 27-year-old was reluctant to drop into the Championship. Nonetheless, Farke was vocal in his admiration for the player, breaking from his usual policy of not discussing potential transfer targets to publicly declare that he “really rates” Buendia.
Given their past success together at Norwich, a reunion now seems increasingly plausible. According to a report from The Sun, Aston Villa are eager to offload Buendia on loan this summer, and Leeds are once again monitoring the situation closely. Villa paid a hefty £40 million for Buendia when they signed him from Norwich in 2021, but his role at the club has become more peripheral over time.
While Leeds are reportedly interested in the Argentine maestro, the same report makes it clear that the club has other pressing transfer priorities. Buendia, while admired, is not seen as the most urgent addition, with other positions—particularly in defense and up front—requiring immediate attention.
Still, Buendia’s potential arrival could significantly elevate Leeds’ attacking threat. A comparison between Buendia and Aaronson highlights a stark contrast in their impact and consistency. Not only does Buendia have three times the Premier League experience of Aaronson, but his productivity in terms of goals and assists has also been far superior.
During his stint in the Championship with Norwich, Buendia was a dominant force—amassing an incredible 51 goal involvements (goals and assists combined) in just 77 appearances. That level of output dwarfs Aaronson’s numbers and underscores the value he could bring to Leeds as they prepare for life back in the top tier.
For Buendia, a move to Leeds would offer the perfect opportunity to reignite his career under a manager who knows how to get the best out of him. For Leeds, it could be a low-risk, high-reward move that strengthens a crucial area of the pitch with a proven performer who’s already familiar with the demands of both the Premier League and Daniel Farke’s tactical system.
In what promises to be a busy and potentially transformative summer for Leeds United, the chase for Emi Buendia is one storyline that could yet play a key role in shaping the club’s Premier League fortunes.