£40m target told it will be hard to turn down Leeds boss Bielsa

Emiliano Buendia TEAMtalk

Emiliano Buendia may find it hard to reject an approach from Leeds United this summer, according to Paddy Kenny.

Former Whites goalkeeper Kenny believes the Norwich City playmaker might just be tempted by a move north if Leeds come knocking again. Leeds reportedly tried to land Buendia last summer after they won promotion to the Premier League and Norwich were relegated. Crystal Palace and Aston Villa were also linked with the 24-year-old.  The Canaries were said to be seeking a price of £20m for the former Getafe man.

That price tag rose dramatically in January with Arsenal sniffing around the player. Sky’s Transfer Show claimed that the Championship club wanted in the region of £40m-£50m for the talented player.

More recently, according to Anfield Central, Liverpool have made enquiries over the Canaries forward.

Earlier this year Buendia said he was intent on a return to the top flight. And he looks likely to see that wish granted with Norwich, who are eight points clear at the top of the table with five games remaining.

Buendia told Radio Residencias in Argentina (via Metro): “Yes, I always say it.

“It is the best league in the world, it is the one that makes the difference at all levels. Any team makes life difficult for anyone, it is very complicated.

“Their organisational level is perfect, the stadiums have a lot of history, the conditions for playing football are ideal. There are no excuses. And the players and the teams are the best.

 

'Emi Buendia would cost Arsenal £40m-£50m' -

'Emi Buendia would cost Arsenal £40m-£50m' -

Arsenal would need to offer £40m-£50m to tempt Norwich into selling midfielder Emi Buendia, according to Kaveh Solhekol.

 

“I aspire to the best and work every day to get back to it, either in my team or through a transfer. Returning to the Premier in the short term is a dream.


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Hernandez replacement

“It is true that there was a lot of talk in the summer, after relegation, about the possibility that both I and other teammates could leave the team to continue in the Premier League.”

The Athletic report that Leeds director of football Victor Orta is a big admirer of Buendia. And Kenny thinks if Marcelo Bielsa comes knocking for the player, he could be persuaded to leave East Anglia this summer.

Kenny told Football Insider: “Definitely. He’s an exceptional player. Norwich are as good as promoted now and he’s played a massive part in that.

“Would he want to leave? Can you turn Leeds down? It’s a tough one. He’s Argentinian too. With Bielsa, that could sway it.”

Bielsa is on the lookout for a midfielder schemer with Pablo Hernandez, 36, likely to depart this summer. Hernandez has been at Elland Road for five years and has a contract until 2022.

READ MORE: Trusted reporter reveals real reasons why Pablo Hernandez will leave Leeds