Gustavo Goni, Emiliano Buendia’s agent, has been speaking to Tutto Mercato Web about his client amid interest from Arsenal.
The Gunners target has enjoyed a brilliant season for Norwich, scoring ten goals while assisting 12 more in 30 Championship appearances.
When asked about his client, and where he’d be playing his football next season, Goni said: “In his first season in the Premier League he showed that he could be a protagonist, and now, after relegation, he has shown that he has matured. Next season (he will be) in the Premier League.
“Whether he is at Norwich or in other interested clubs, we will see him in complete tranquility.”
Now, that admittedly leaves a lot to be desired.
Norwich currently sit top of the Championship by ten points, so perhaps Goni was just giving a safe answer by assuming the Canaries would earn promotion.
However, he does state that Buendia could play Premier League football with ‘other interested clubs’ – which would include Arsenal.
Another side said to be interested are Leeds. The Independent revealed last summer that Leeds have a long-standing interest in the South American.
Elsewhere, The Athletic said Victor Orta – Director of Football at Elland Road – has been a fan of Buendia for ages.
Eurosport claim that Mikel Arteta’s side will submit an offer for the 24-year-old this summer.
Before that news, The Athletic‘s David Ornstein revealed that Arsenal had been tracking Buendia for over a year-and-a-half.
However, Ornstein added that they are unwilling to match Norwich’s £40 million asking price.
In our view, this signing is no longer as necessary as it once seemed for Arsenal.
Back in early January, Emile Smith Rowe was still nailing down a place in the starting XI, while Martin Ødegaard was yet to arrive.
As a result, Buendia seemed like a vital signing. However, now Smith Rowe is delivering quite consistently, and Ødegaard has emerged as a potential summer signing, the Argentine’s importance has lessened.
After Goni’s comments, however, this transfer saga is certainly worth keeping an eye on over the summer.
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