The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 30th May) Farke eyes reunion with Emiliano Buendia
Good Morning. It's Friday 20th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Farke eyes reunion with Emiliano Buendia
Leeds are reportedly rekindling their interest in Aston Villa's attacking midfielder, Emiliano Buendia, as they prepare for their return to the Premier League. The Whites had previously expressed interest in securing Buendia on loan during the winter transfer window, but the Argentine international instead opted for a six-month stint with Bayer Leverkusen.
While the move to Germany didn't pan out as hoped – Buendia only started three Bundesliga games, and Leverkusen declined to exercise their €20 million (£16.8m) purchase option – it seems a move to Elland Road could still be on the cards.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly willing to let Buendia leave as the club looks to offload fringe players to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Buendia himself is also eager for a fresh start, hoping to revitalize his career with a permanent move.
Buoyed by their Championship title win, the Whites could provide the perfect platform for Buendia to reignite his form. According to Give Me Sport reporter Ben Jacobs, Leeds "still like" the Argentine playmaker, suggesting they are considering making an offer for his services.
They won't be alone in the pursuit of Buendia, especially at the reported £16.8 million price tag. The competition for his signature is expected to be intense. To gain an edge, Leeds could leverage the existing relationship between Buendia and their head coach, Daniel Farke. The pair previously worked together at Norwich City, where Buendia thrived under Farke's guidance.
During their time together, Buendia amassed an impressive 23 goals and 33 assists in 80 appearances, showcasing the potential of a reunion at Elland Road. Whether this familiarity proves to be a decisive factor remains to be seen, but it certainly gives Leeds a strong card to play in the race for Buendia's signature.
Navigating the Post-Hammond Era
Leeds face a pivotal transfer window, arguably the most important in the last five years. With Nick Hammond's departure to Everton, questions arise about the potential void left in the club's transfer operations.
The Athletic's Beren Cross addressed recent signings such as Ao Tanaka, Manor Solomon (loan), and Largie Ramazani, and whether his absence will be felt this summer. Hammond bought a wealth of negotiation experience cultivated over four decades, when he himself was a player. He has built an extensive network in the footballing world.
His expertise made him a highly sought-after figure, explaining why Angus Kinnear moved swiftly to bring him with him to Everton. While Hammond possessed a valuable contacts base for identifying potential players, his primary function at Leeds centered on negotiations and finalising deals.
The player selection process was primarily driven by Farke, Evans, and Gretar Steinsson, who recently joined 49ers Enterprises' global group. Hammond's role was to translate those targets into concrete signings.
Addressing specific deals, Cross clarified that Tanaka was a target identified by Farke due to his familiarity from the German league. Ramazani emerged as a potential signing through Evans' data analysis department. Crucially, Kinnear's strong relationship with Daniel Levy at Tottenham Hotspur proved instrumental in securing the loan deal for Solomon. Therefore, attributing these signings solely to Hammond's influence would be inaccurate.
Despite this, Hammond's expertise will undoubtedly be missed. His departure leaves a gap in experience, particularly with Evans and Underwood relatively new to their senior roles at Leeds. The absence of a seasoned negotiator like Hammond could present challenges in navigating the complexities of the transfer market.
This direction reflects Marathe's vision for the club. However, if the summer transfer window proves unsuccessful, the responsibility will likely fall squarely on those who orchestrated this new approach. The pressure is on Leeds United's revamped team to deliver in this vital period.