Leeds United's chances of summer Aston Villa transfer swoop become clearer | OneFootball

Graeme Bailey has failed to rule out the possibility of the Whites making a summer swoop for Buendia.

Leeds United could still make a summer move for Aston Villa's Emi Buendia, despite missing out on a deal for the playmaker during the January transfer window.

This is according to Graeme Bailey, who has told Leeds United News that he believes a move during the next window could still be a possibility for the Argentine, who has failed to win enough game time at Villa this season and hasn't been able to make much of an impact.

Leeds were previously thought to be in the race for Buendia, but it was revealed that the player wasn't keen on making the move back down to the Championship, having spent time with Norwich City in the second tier in the past.

And he made the loan move to Bayer Leverkusen instead, with the Bundesliga outfit reportedly having a purchase option in this agreement which could be activated if things go well for him in Germany.

Journalist on Leeds United's chances of summer swoop for Emi Buendia

Even though Buendia hasn't joined Leeds this month, Bailey believes a summer switch could be a possibility.

He told Leeds United News: "Buendia, they were hoping and if he was still there at the end of the window then there was a good chance of getting him but as it turns out, Leverkusen is a better option for him.

"I still think Leeds will show interest in the summer, we will see what happens. There is a good chance Xabi Alonso [Leverkusen manager] leaves and I don’t think it is guaranteed Buendia will stay there."

At this stage, there's definitely a place for an attacking midfielder to come in and become a key player at Elland Road.

Brenden Aaronson may have played fairly regularly since his return to West Yorkshire in the summer, but with Georginio Rutter departing the club, they probably need more depth in this area.

Willy Gnonto may be able to play in the middle, but Buendia could be an even better central option, with the player previously thriving with Norwich.

Not only would the Argentine have an important role in Leeds' first team next season, but the Whites may also be promoted at the end of the season.

The opportunity to play regularly in the Premier League and helped to establish the Whites as a solid top-tier team again would surely be appealing to him, but first, Leeds would have to clear the hurdle that they crashed into last season, and they'd also need Leverkusen to not trigger the permanent option that was placed in the contract of the Argentine midfielder.