Leeds United were linked with a whole host of players during the summer window but failed to sign a no.10 despite Daniel Farke admitting Brenden Aaronson is the only natural Leeds player for the role.
Roland Sallai, Gustavo Hamer and plenty of other attacking stars were linked with a move to Elland Road as Leeds tried to bring in competition for the USA star, for the attacking midfield role under Daniel Farke.
But Leeds failed to get a no.10 in at Elland Road, instead signing Ao Tanaka and Isaac Schmidt on the final day of the transfer window. Important signings, but it leaves Leeds lacking to a degree in the 10 position.
Following the close of the transfer window, Angus Kinnear revealed a number of players that Leeds were looking at during the summer. Ones that had not been linked with Leeds in the press, under the radar.
One of those named by the Elland Road chief executive was handed his first start in a long time last night and got himself on the score sheet. It turns out, that it was his first goal in an enormous 18 months.
Emi Buendia scores first goal in 18 months after Leeds links
The 27-year-old missed the entire 2023-24 campaign due to a knee injury. But fit again, the Argentina star got his name on the score sheet for Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s side egded past Wycombe to win 2-1.
A first goal for Buendia since March 2023, when he netted he fifth of his five goals that season in a 3-0 win over Bournemouth. It comes after Kinnear said Leeds made a move for Buendia during the summer.
Despite the potential of reuniting with manager Farke, the man that helped Buendia make his name while at Carrow Road, he chose to reject Leeds. Buendia actually played in the Champions League last week.
Buendia’s Daniel Farke stats show he would have been incredible
If Leeds had managed to do a deal for Buendia, he would have been incredible for The Whites. His stats during his three-year stint at Norwich prove that, having played under Farke for his entire Norwich stay.
| Season under Daniel Farke | League | Apps (league and cup) | Goals | Assists |
| 2018-19 | Championship | 41 | 8 | 17 |
| 2019-20 | Premier League | 39 | 1 | 8 |
| 2020-21 | Championship | 41 | 15 | 16 |
Bought for £1.5m from Getafe by Farke, he ended up joining Villa just three years later for a whopping £40m. His stats in the Championship are incredible, having a hand in 51 goals in just 77 appearances.
Had Leeds managed to pull off a reunion between Farke and Buendia, promotion would have been well within Leeds’ grasp. Instead, Leeds will have to do it without the Argentine or another no.10.
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