Aston Villa's out-of-favor midfielder Emiliano Buendia has caught the attention of Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen, as the German club looks to bolster their attacking options during the January transfer window.
The Argentina international, who has struggled to secure regular playing time this season with just three starts and no Premier League appearances, finds himself available for transfer this month. Buendia's situation has been complicated by his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign.
Despite his limited opportunities, Villa manager Unai Emery recently praised Buendia's performance in their match against Monaco, where the midfielder was given a rare start. "He has the option to leave but today we needed him," Emery commented after the game. "He played fantastic with his quality, his mentality and commitment to the squad."
The 28-year-old midfielder, whose contract runs until 2026, has found himself behind the likes of Jacob Ramsey, Morgan Rogers, and Youri Tielemans in Villa's attacking midfield hierarchy. Although Buendia had initially hoped to fight for his place in Emery's plans this season, circumstances appear to be pushing him toward the exit door.
Leverkusen's interest comes as they seek to fill the void left by Martin Terrier, who has been ruled out for the season with a torn Achilles. The German side, currently sitting second in the Bundesliga and just four points behind leaders Bayern Munich, have impressed this season with just one league defeat to their name. While they have registered their interest in Buendia, no formal offer has been submitted yet.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, continue their pursuit of European football, currently positioned eighth in the Premier League and four points away from the Champions League places.
