Arsenal are locked in a fierce battle with Aston Villa as they both attempt to secure the signing of Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia.
The Canaries have come to terms with the fact they’re likely to lose their star man this summer as interest in him continues to mount, though given their recent promotion to the Premier League they’re under no pressure to sell the 24-year-old.
Arsenal have been credited with an interest in Buendia for some time and The Sun now report that the club have lodged a bid in excess of £30m.
However, the deal may well still be some way off with Aston Villa also keen to lure the former Argentina Under-20 man to Villa Park, and they too have tabled a bid worth over £30m.
Norwich remain completely relaxed regarding the deal and are understood to be holding out for £40m for their talisman, meaning both sides still have some way to go before they meet the Canaries’ valuation.
Buendia originally informed Norwich he wished to leave following their relegation from the Premier League in 2019/20, though he was forced to remain at Carrow Road after the club failed to receive a single offer for him despite mooted interest from Sheffield United.
The midfielder’s stellar form during last season’s Championship campaign was one of the main reasons Daniel Farke’s side bounced straight back to the Premier League, and despite Arsenal beginning to monitor his performances midway through the season the Gunners opted against making a bid in the January transfer window.
Buendia’s performances have just seen him receive his maiden call-up to the Argentina senior side ahead of their World Cup qualifiers, and the Norwich hierarchy have now accepted they’re likely to kick off next season without their star midfielder.
However, the onus is on Arsenal and Villa to stump up the £40m, otherwise it seems Buendia will be going nowhere.
