When a player admits that he had the option of choosing to play for Argentina or for Spain, it shows you the standard of the player. However, few could have imagined the intensity of the interest building in Norwich City player Emi Buendia when he first arrived in the English game. Under coach Daniel Farke, he has become one of the most consistent creators and playmakers in the top two divisions of the English game. Despite immense interest in his services after Norwich were relegated in 2020, Buendia stuck around for a promotion season.

His Player of the Year quality performances have seen him proclaimed as the best player outside of the top-flight. An eye-watering number of assists and chances created for a Norwich side who are quite attacking shows his ability and suitability. However, it’s the work rate and the effort put in at both ends that has really impressed many teams. As such, the talk of interest from teams in England and Spain should come as no surprise.

Eye-catching displays on such a consistent basis are one of the main reasons why Buendia has become a major target for the 2021 summer.

Who is being linked with a move for Emi Buendia?

The size of club being linked with the Argentine playmaker are varied. However, all of them provide the opportunity to play attacking, aggressive football at the highest level.

In England, the two most heavily linked clubs are Aston Villa and Arsenal. The former will likely be looking for a replacement for their own playmaker in Jack Grealish and might be able to offer European football. Arsenal, meanwhile, are interested as their chances of singing Martin Ødegaard drift away. This could see Arsenal make a move to help add an infusion of creative spark into what is quite a pedestrian midfield.

Another team being linked from England is Leeds United. Believed to be ready to spend in excess of their summer spend last year, Leeds would suit the Argentine perfectly. If coach Marcelo Bielsa sticks around, then the likelihood of a move for the Argentine will increase a little bit. However, for now, a move to Leeds – with their single season in the top-flight and uncertainty over the long-term future of the coach – appears to be the least likely option.

In Spain, too, the options come from two UEFA Champions League clubs. Potential champions Atletico Madrid are very interested, as Buendia would offer the steel and silk that Diego Simeone tends to look for in any of his midfield signings. He would offer Atletico another creative edge in what can be an otherwise workmanlike team.

Sevilla are also credited with interest and might have the funds to make the move happen. European qualification and likely player sales make it likely that they could make the funds available to try and make an ambitious move for one of the most in-demand players in the European game at this moment in time.