Here's the text - Article by David Ornstein

(David Ornstein is normally very well informed with regard to Arsenal matters)

Buendia expected to leave Norwich with Arsenal and Aston Villa keeping tabs

Now that the domestic season is over in Europe’s top divisions, clubs will step up their summer transfer plans and few players have been more heavily linked with a move than Emiliano Buendia.

Despite winning promotion to the Premier League with Norwich City, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder is the subject of well-documented interest from teams such as Arsenal and Aston Villa. And it is not only English sides who have their eye on Buendia — a major continental outfit are believed to have enquired last week, following his maiden call-up to the senior Argentina squad.

It has all the makings of a classic tug-of-war as Norwich seek to keep the creator at Carrow Road and suitors attempt to prise him away, but on this occasion, that probably won’t be the case.

The Athletic understands that Buendia and his employers accept this is the right time for him to take the next step in his career and the expectation is that he will depart in the upcoming market.

It will require a fee of more than £40 million and some of the proceeds must go to Getafe, from where Norwich secured Buendia for €1.5 million two years ago, as the deal included a sell-on clause. But when his age, profile, statistics and experience of British football are taken into consideration and compared to those of other potential signings, it seems to represent decent value for money.

Neither Norwich nor Buendia wants the situation running into next season, but they are in no rush and know their options should increase once admirers clarify their recruitment ideas and budgets.

Arsenal technical director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta think highly of the Championship player of the year and could take it further if they do not land their first-choice target Martin Odegaard.

That position is among Arsenal’s priorities, as has been right centre-back. They covet Sevilla’s Jules Kounde but may struggle to attract the 22-year-old Frenchman, who will cost around £50 million and is likely to want Champions League football.

Buendia is also a candidate for Aston Villa as they look to strengthen in forward areas after Trezeguet suffered a serious knee injury last month and Ross Barkley’s loan spell came to an end.

Villa have watched Buendia closely and are familiar with buying talents who have shone in the second tier, although it is unclear if Buendia will be their final pick. Whomever that proves to be, the intention at Villa Park is for them to play alongside Grealish rather than replace him.

Norwich are still to receive any formal offers but if a suitable bid arrives they will not stand in Buendia’s way. The same applies to team-mates such as Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell. Internal or external replacements would be sourced and that way of working is key to the club’s model.

Posted By: KentonCanary on May 24th 2021 at 09:09:44

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