Aston Villa are preparing a significant new contract for midfielder Emiliano Buendia, a move that effectively ends any hopes local rivals Birmingham City had of signing the player in the January transfer window.
From Exit Door to Key Man
This development marks a stunning turnaround for the Argentine playmaker. After joining from Norwich City for a club-record £33 million in 2021, Buendia's future at Villa Park looked uncertain. His progress was severely hampered by an ACL injury during the 2023/24 pre-season, which caused him to miss the entire campaign.
Following a difficult period of adaptation and a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, many expected Buendia to be sold, especially with Villa's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) concerns. Reports, including from journalist Sébastien Vidal, suggested a potential £16.8 million move to Leeds United was on the cards this past summer.
Buendia's Impressive Resurgence
Instead of departing, Buendia has fought his way back into Unai Emery's plans and is now playing a pivotal role. This season, he has been the catalyst for Villa's mini-revival after a sluggish start.
His contributions have been direct and impactful, with four goals and two assists to his name. This rich vein of form is arguably the best he has shown since his arrival from Carrow Road, making him a central figure in Villa's push in the league and their strong European performances.
Contract Talks Signal Intent
According to a report from Football Insider, Aston Villa's response to his superb performances is to initiate talks over a new and improved contract. Buendia's current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2027.
The proposed new contract, expected to be longer and with a higher salary, is designed to secure his services for the long term and underline his importance to Emery's project. This decisive action from Villa represents a hammer blow to Birmingham City's transfer ambitions.
The prospect of a direct transfer between the two West Midlands rivals was always considered unlikely, with such deals being rare historically. This new contract for Buendia effectively slams the door shut on any potential move, forcing Birmingham to look elsewhere for their January reinforcements.
