ASTON Villa are seeking a new loan destination for midfield schemer Emi Buendia as he returns from Bayer Leverkusen.
Buendia is eager for a Premier League opportunity and his availability is likely to attract the attention of his former boss, Daniel Farke, at Leeds United.
However, Leeds have other priorities and Buendia may have to wait to see how committed they are to bringing him in.
Leeds are allowed only two Premier League loans which could limit their options.
Villa missed out on Champions League football to Chelsea and Newcastle after a defeat to Manchester United on the final day of the season.
Since then, all attention has shifted to the future of goalkeeper and influential team member Emi Martinez.
The Argentine has been sensational for Unai Emery’s side but fueled speculation of an exit when he broke down in tears and took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa’s final home game of the season.
There had been reports suggesting a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, but recent links indicate that Manchester United are now monitoring him.
Neil Cutler, Martinez’s former coach at Villa and close friend, hinted at a potential Premier League move when he said: “This summer is pivotal for Emi in terms of his career.
“He’s been voted the best goalkeeper in the world twice and it seems there is an opportunity for him this summer with all his options open.
“Big clubs are queuing up to speak to him and he either stays at a massive club like Villa or moves to a truly world-class club.
“I don’t think money is the issue for Emi, so I don’t think he’s ready to move to Saudi Arabia just yet.
“If he does move, it would be to a much bigger club, one of the really big hitters, like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid… or even Manchester United.”
Regarding potential incomings, Villa have been linked with Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, and Nice’s Marcin Bulka if Martinez were to leave.
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