"Move heaven and earth" - Leeds United urged to act on Emi Buendia situation after Unai Emery, Aston Villa claim | OneFootball

FLW's Leeds United fan pundit has had his say on Unai Emery's comments regarding Emi Buendia's Aston Villa future.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Emi Buendia was a previous transfer target for Leeds United in the summer, with Unai Emery now stating that the playmaker will be allowed to depart Aston Villa this January.

It was CEO Angus Kinnear who revealed in September that Buendia was one player on their list of potential targets for the summer transfer window. It has therefore come as no surprise that the Yorkshire Evening Post state that the Whites retain their long-standing interest in the 28-year-old.

Recent months have seen game time limited for the Argentine, who has earned just 71 minutes of Premier League action across 11 appearances. With 18 months left on his Villa contract, Emery's side may be willing to cash in, given that a potential fee would likely drop if he entered the final year of his deal.

Emery then claimed over the weekend that he wouldn’t stand in Buendia's way if interest arrived this month amid his lack of playing time for the Midlands outfit. However, following that, Buendia started in Villa's Champions League defeat to AS Monaco on Tuesday night.

Playing 86 minutes during the 1-0 loss, many of a Leeds persuasion perhaps assumed he was back in the frame under Emery. However, the Villa boss then doubled down on his initial statement, outlining Buendia's availability this month:

The verdict on Unai Emery's Emi Buendia reveal

We asked FLW’s Leeds United fan pundit Kris Smith for his thoughts on the latest comments from Emery, with Leeds still likely to be in for Buendia before the deadline in just under two weeks' time.

He said: "Before the window even commenced, I think it looked pretty obvious that Leeds needed an attacking midfielder that was at least akin to Emi Buendia in terms of what he brings to the table.

"If he himself was made available, then even better. That is actually perfect for what Leeds need.

"We have been crying out for an attacking midfielder that more favours the right than they do the left; and that is Buendia when he was playing at Norwich City.

"If he is available now, then that is perfect. Although Emery has essentially said that he is open to letting him leave on loan, Leeds now need to move heaven and earth to make that happen.

"He's the sort of quality of player that tips this Leeds team from being slightly ahead of the chasing pack, as they are at the moment, to potentially winning the league by eight or ten points. He's just that much better than most players in the Championship.

"However, I am sure that with Emery basically openly saying that he would be allowed to leave the club if the offer comes, I don't think we are going to be the only club that are on red-alert to him saying that.

"It's all about Leeds now making the offer the most enticing, to Aston Villa and Buendia, to accept. Obviously, that connection to Farke could help to tip it in our favour."

Emi Buendia could be the difference for Leeds United in January

Every team is looking for difference-makers and statement signings. Leeds signing Buendia would send a clear statement to the rest of the Championship and be potentially the signing of the window, given that Buendia has proven previously to be a game-changer with the X-factor needed to be a big differential in the final third in the Championship — as Kris alludes to.

If Leeds could secure his services, it would showcase their ambition and finally have them flexing their muscles and financial might as one of the biggest clubs outside the Premier League. Leeds are a massive name in English football, and they should be looking to demonstrate their pulling power, especially after Sunderland’s impressive capture of Enzo Le Fée on loan.

Outside of the obvious issues in goal, the area of greatest weakness for Leeds remains the lack of genuine creative threats in the forward line. Another creative player, like Buendia, has the potential to have a huge impact on this side. He is also someone who could adapt quickly as a player Farke knows that he can trust, having worked so well together previously.

While he is undoubtedly still recovering from a serious knee injury he sustained in 2023/24, he is worth a risk on a temporary deal. He can be a match-winner through moments of brilliance and consistent quality if he can get back to full fitness, which is why the risk-to-reward ratio highlights him as a player worth taking a chance on this month.