Unai Emery is swiftly moving to secure a new contract for Emiliano Buendia at Villa Park. After considering letting the talented midfielder leave during last summer’s transfer window, Emery has seen Buendia rejuvenate his role in the team. The manager is eager to tie Buendia down to a new deal rather than risk losing him like a misplaced holiday umbrella.
Buendia’s Rising Star
In July, rumors linked Buendia to clubs such as Leeds United. However, his impressive performances this season have quelled any speculation. Buendia has emerged as one of Emery’s key players, delivering creativity and goals from midfield when Aston Villa needed it most.
Despite Buendia not being out of contract until the summer of 2027, Emery is keen to preempt any late-stage complications. The upcoming January transfer window poses challenges, especially since Villa’s Profit and Sustainability Requirements still limit the club’s ability to invest in new talent.
Impressive On-Field Performance
On the pitch, Buendia has been nothing short of sensational. No other senior Villa player has more Premier League goal involvements than his current tally of six. His recent stoppage-time winner against title favorites Arsenal marked his fourth league goal of the season.
In the 2021-22 campaign, Buendia registered ten league goal contributions throughout the entire season. Now, after just 13 games this term, he has already surpassed half that mark. If he continues this form, he could be heading for the most prolific top-flight season of his career.
Navigating Financial Challenges
Off the pitch, the financial landscape remains complex. Summer dealings were heavily constrained by Profit and Sustainability Requirements, and the introduction of new Squad Cost Ratio rules will impose further limits. These rules will cap squad costs at 85 percent of revenue. As a result, the club may need to offload players before bringing new ones in, as finance expert Dr. Dan Plumley has outlined.
In this context, retaining proven talents like Buendia becomes crucial. With high-profile signings not an option, Emery’s best strategy is to cultivate the existing talent within the squad.
The Importance of Securing Buendia
Sealing Buendia’s future represents not only a vote of confidence in his abilities but also a smart business decision. After all, it is far easier to retain quality players than to search for new talent each time a signing is needed. By prioritizing Buendia’s contract, Unai Emery is taking a proactive step to ensure Villa Park remains competitive.