Emiliano Buendia, the 28-year-old midfielder for Aston Villa, is on the brink of securing a loan move to Bayer Leverkusen as the German club seeks to fortify its squad following injuries to key players.
Reports from Sky Germany on January 25, 2025, indicate Bayer Leverkusen's strong interest in acquiring Buendia on loan for the remainder of the season. This move is intended to boost their attacking options, particularly after losing forward Martin Terrier to injury.
Leverkusen's recruitment strategy appears aimed at enhancing their offense and defense, with Buendia’s profile intriguing to them due to his ability to alleviate the pressure on young star Florian Wirtz. Bayer wants to finalize the deal as Los Werkself aims to bolster its options during the January transfer window.
Buendia's stint at Aston Villa has been hit-or-miss, with manager Unai Emery only starting him three times this season. Following Villa's 1-1 draw with West Ham United, it seems Buendia may have played his last game for the Villains this season. Journalist Florian Plettenburg noted Buendia is “on the verge” of joining Leverkusen, stating he has reached a total agreement with Xabi Alonso’s side.
Aston Villa previously secured Buendia’s services for £38 million, after bringing him over from Norwich City back in 2021. His performance has not warranted consistent starting opportunities for him under Emery; yet, Emery acknowledges Buendia's importance to the squad, emphasizing, "He has the option to leave but today we needed him." Buendia also gained attention for his contribution during Villa’s recent Champions League matches, showcasing flashes of his quality.
The opportunity to continue his career at Leverkusen, coupled with the potential for regular playing time, has garnered interest from Buendia, who has also been linked to clubs such as Leeds United. Nonetheless, he has refused to drop down to the lower divisions of English football and appears set on realizing his ambition to play for Leverkusen.
The particulars of the deal being negotiated indicate it will be structured as a loan, potentially with an option to buy included. Bayer is reportedly pursuing this path rather than merely seeking immediate signings, which aligns with Villa’s approach to keeping key players amid interest from other clubs.
Recent reports have suggested Villa could reject an outright sale at this stage, demonstrating their intention to keep competitive as they aim for European qualification. The club recently managed to upgrade Buendia's contract, extending it until 2027 to signal their commitment to retaining core players.
With both clubs engaging seriously, it now remains to be seen how fast these negotiations will resolve. Successful completion could refresh Buendia’s career path away from Villa, as surely this transfer is more about immediate performance than long-term outlooks within the Premier League. The arrival of fresh talent will likely spark excitement for Leverkusen fans, who are eager for their club to remain competitive amid injury woes.
This potential move signals not just a new chapter for Buendia but also for Bayer Leverkusen, as they push through the January window to come out stronger. If the deal goes through, it presents the opportunity for Buendia to shine once again on the football stage, possibly leading to greater prospects down the line.