The winter window could add a new dimension to the title race in the Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen are looking for options to boost their squad and have agreed a deal for Emi Buendía as a loan signing.
Emi Buendía Leaves Aston Villa on Loan to Bayer Leverkusen
Buendía Brings Depth to Bayer Leverkusen’s Squad
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Emi Buendía has gone to the Bundesliga’s reigning champions.
He has joined Leverkusen on a loan deal to last until the end of this campaign but an option to buy is available to the club. At least in the immediate term, his presence is a welcome sight for the team.
Florian Wirtz has been outstanding as a creative force. However, his manager Xabi Alonso will want more support around him as the talisman. Martin Terrier will be absent for the rest of the season due to an Achilles injury earlier this month while Jonas Hofmann has lost his place as a nailed-on starter.
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Despite these difficulties, Leverkusen are still in a serious hunt for trophies. Bayern Munich lost against Alonso’s men in the DFB-Pokal and are only six points ahead of Die Werkself as the league leaders.
More depth may make the difference for Leverkusen in this stretch of the season. Even if he does not go to Germany permanently, Buendía can expect much more playing time over the next few months.
Aston Villa Will Not Miss the Midfielder
Buendía has hardly been a contributor to his parent club for the first half of the campaign. His last start in the Premier League was at the end of the 2022/23 season against Tottenham Hotspur. Even when John McGinn and Morgan Rogers have been missing, Unai Emery has trusted other players.
The “versatile” attacking midfielder, who can play in any of the three positions behind a striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, is now a world away from the level of importance that he had held at Norwich City.
His displays in the Championship in the 2020/21 season deserved a switch to the higher reaches of the Premier League and Aston Villa offered the opportunity with a summer transfer. However, he has been on the periphery since he suffered a knee ligament injury that ruled him out for over a year.
Donyell Malen has also signed for the Villans from Borussia Dortmund, adding another option that would have limited game time for the 28-year-old. This loan to Bayer Leverkusen is at the right time for Emi Buendía to seek a fresh start.
