Who is Arsenal target Emi Buendia?

Arsenal have held a longstanding interest in Argentine midfielder Emiliano Buendia who currently stars for recently promoted side Norwich FC.

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Emi Buendia of Norwich City celebrates with the Sky Bet Championship trophy after the Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Norwich City at Oakwell Stadium on May 08, 2021 in Barnsley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

By Dan George28 May 2021 07:48 BST

Arsenal have been linked with the Norwich City attacking midfielder Emi Buendia who has been linked with a move to North London since the summer of 2020.

Buendia is a technically gifted midfielder at 5’7 who plays a free flowing Santi Cazorla esc style of football.

Tracing back the years

8^th June 2018 marked the date that the Canaries signed an unknown petit Argentine midfielder with the name Emiliano Buendia.

The now 24-year-old spent the season before signing with Norwich on loan at Cultural Leonesa in the Spanish second division before making a permanent move from parent club Getafe to East Anglia.

Prior to his spell at Getafe, Buendia spent a year in the youth set up of Real Madrid’s academy.

The Argentine broke into Madrid’s B team and then went on to make 34 appearances for Getafe’s reserves the following season.

The Norwich City attacking midfielder has been capped by Spain at under 19 three times however, choses to represent Argentina.

Buendia’s red hot form this season in Norwich’s championship winning campaign earned him a call up to the Argentina senior squad for the first time to represent his side in the world cup qualifiers.

What Buendia brings to the table

Quick feet and the ability to dribble past players in tight areas make up some of the key attributes that Emi Buendia possesses.

He also showcases his finishing ability on regular occasions as he has done this season, netting 15 times and recording 17 assists.

A goalscoring midfielder is what the Gunners have been missing dearly ever since selling their Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey who lived off late runs into the box and was one of Arsenal’s most successful midfielders before he moved on to Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2019.

Arsenal’s formation is perfect to accommodate the Argentine as he can slot into the number 10 role that currently Emile Smith-Rowe and Martin Odegaard take up.

With Odegaard looking likely to return to Real Madrid in the summer, Buendia would provide exciting competition for Smith-Rowe in that role.

The two attack minded midfielders could also play in the wider positions if needed, bringing flair and directness to the Arsenal attack.

Reported fees and prices

Arsenal need to spend this summer and rebuild their side to push for one of the four lucrative Champions League places.

Norwich will no doubt want to keep hold of one of their star man and, will not let him go lightly.

It has been widely reported that Norwich value their star player between the £35-£40m Mark.

This style of deal suits Arsenal down to the ground and, would be a welcome addition to the side, bolstering Mikel Arteta’s attack.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed Arsenal’s interest in the Argentine via twitter saying:

“Emiliano Buendia is one of the options that Arsenal are seriously considering as a potential new signing. He’s appreciated and the Arsenal board have restarted contacts with his agents after opening talks in December. Buendia would accept a move to Arsenal and is now waiting.”

Arsenal’s interest in singing Buendia remains very clear however it now remains a waiting game to see if an agreement can be reached between the two Premier League clubs.