Emi Buendia

[Sexual Ealing]

There is apparently a piece in the Athletic today about the intricacies of his transfer from Norwich. If any kind subscriber fancies copying and pasting perhaps they could do so here?

[chrisw1]

When it comes to high-value footballers, sometimes it pays for a board to be proactive in planning a sale.

Norwich City are increasingly well-versed in sanctioning high-profile departures for big profits — and Emiliano Buendia is the latest case.

Aware of Buendia’s ambitions, Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber sat down with the player and his agent early on last season, before Christmas, to map out an eventual exit, whether or not the club ended up winning promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. By instigating the process, Norwich believed they were taking control of the situation and avoiding bad blood.

Pricing parameters were discussed and, impressed by Norwich’s co-operation, Buendia was fully on board for the rest of last season. Head coach Daniel Farke made subtle comments in the media, implying the club would be open to selling Buendia when the summer window opened. Nevertheless, securing promotion put Norwich in a strong financial position and the Argentinian’s agent was told the fee that took his client away from Carrow Road needed to “start with a three”.

Aston Villa were the first to place a serious bid. Rival interest from Arsenal then lifted Norwich’s hopes of getting close to their ideal price of £40 million. An Arsenal bid of £30 million plus £5 million in potential add-ons exceeded Villa’s by £2 million of add-ons. Webber informed Villa chief executive Christian Purslow of the counter-offer from north London and outlined the bid that would seal Buendia’s services without this becoming an auction.

Purslow rang back and improved Villa’s proposal to £33 million plus £5 million add-ons, and the deal was further sweetened with a 10 per cent sell-on clause (Buendia is only 24). By the time Richard Garlick, Arsenal’s director of football operations, tried to intervene again, the player was already in Birmingham for his Villa medical. The whole process took a fortnight.

Buendia was sold promptly after the end of last season, the deal done in June, but at this late stage of a window, a message from a club saying they want a player to leave can cause serious time issues. The call comes and if a buyer is to be found, you have only a few days to react and dig around.

“But,” says one experienced English agent, “if you’re any good at your job, then you already know who likes your player. You’d never tell anyone that, but if you’re a good agent then you know who’s got an eye on him. You know who you can call and start the conversation with. It doesn’t mean it’ll lead anywhere, but you’re not starting from scratch.”

[Sexual Ealing]

Thanks Chris.

[john e]

Think he will be a good player for us

 but not on the wing

[Toronto Villa]

Called up by Argentina. Well done Emi and Emi

[Dave]

Pretty decent attacking company to be in.

[DrGonzo]

I see the "South American Gary Shaw" is in as well.

[Ad@m]

It must be shit being an Argentinian football fan - a grand total of two of the national squad play in Argentina. Everyone else plays in Europe!

[Demitri_C]

Sk this mwans no martinez and buendia for 2 games ffs

[CT]

Is it right they’ve got games in September and October, meaning we miss both for a few games?

[villadelph]

Is it right they’ve got games in September and October, meaning we miss both for a few games?

+ Quarantine.

[Demitri_C]

Is it right they’ve got games in September and October, meaning we miss both for a few games?

Yeah 10 days quarantine.  We should block them from going like other clubs are doing. We are paying them after all bot their national teams

[PaulWinch again]

I’m not sure stopping them joining up would be a particularly good idea, even if it were an option. I imagine for Martinez in particular being the Argentina no.1 is probably pretty important to him.

[ian c.]

Is it right they’ve got games in September and October, meaning we miss both for a few games?

Yeah 10 days quarantine.  We should block them from going like other clubs are doing. We are paying them after all bot their national teams

Good plan. Stopping them representing their country is certain to prove motivational and increase their bond with the club.

[cdbearsfan]

I can't imagine quarantine will be an issue. Either they'll grant the same exemption they did last year or the European Club Association en masse will refuse to let their players travel. I expect it'll be the former and we will be missing Buendia, Martinez and Bailey (not on red list so almost certainly playing) for one game in September and one in October. Not great but not the end of the world. If WM Police would get their fingers out and move Villa v Wolves to the Sunday, that might help.