Aston Villa playmaker Emiliano Buendia is reportedly wanted by Bayer Leverkusen in a potential loan exit this month.
The 28-year-old has been limited to just 18 appearances across all competitions so far this season, totalling just 446 minutes of playing time.
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Having come through a gruelling rehabilitation process after suffering a serious knee injury on the eve of last season, Buendia has relished being back in contention and has made a positive impression when involved.
However, with strong competition for places, he has found it hard to force his way up the pecking order despite having previously been a regular starter under Unai Emery, and that in turn has raised doubts over his future at the club.
Coupled with the fact that his contract is set to expire in 18 months time, and more pertinently that Emery himself recently conceded that the door is open for Buendia to move on, it looks as though the Argentine playmaker could leave before the end of the window.
According to Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Leverkusen are keen on taking Buendia on loan for the rest of the season, but there is potentially a key obstacle in the way of a deal being agreed.
It’s added that while the Bundesliga side want to include an option to buy in the agreement, Villa are keen on it being an obligation, and there is said to be interest from elsewhere in Buendia too.
In turn, it remains to be seen if the two clubs can reach a compromise and the move goes through, or if Buendia either has to find an alternative solution, or perhaps even ends up staying with us until the end of the season.
It would be a shame to see him leave as it was felt as though he had a big role to play prior to his injury setback, but as Villa continue to evolve and improve with additions like Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen, who perhaps suit what Emery wants moving forward more effectively, an exit might make sense for all concerned.