Former Aston Villa veteran Lee Hendrie has urged his former club to move heaven and earth in order to sign Norwich City winger Emi Buendia.
Buendia’s underlying data is suggestive of an immensely influential maestro adept in his field.
He has started every single Championship game for Norwich City this season, averaging 0.81 goals or assists per 90 minutes.
In just one half, Buendia, who is valued at £19.8 million (as per Transfermarkt), mustered a goal and three assists in a 7-0 trouncing of Huddersfield Town in an almighty showcasing of what he is capable of.
Performances such as that which put the Terriers to the sword will do little to detract from Norwich’s reported valuation of the player, as per Sky Sports.
Speaking to Transfer Tavern, Hendrie claimed they should sign Buendia over Ross Barkley: “I would buy him without a shadow of a doubt,” the ex-Villa player declared.
“I mean, I know they talked about buying [Ross] Barkley, but Buendia, I would definitely, I mean I don’t know what sort of fee Norwich would be looking for him, but I would certainly pay that fee. I think he’s an outstanding player.”
It should come as no surprise that Villa may have to rival the likes of Arsenal for his signature, with the Gunners previously keen on the Argentine attacker – but baulked at his £40-50 million valuation.
Norwich, who look increasingly certain to bounce back up to the Premier League, would surely not part with a key asset in their quest to consolidate Premier League status.
Their valuation is likely designed to that effect.
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