Leeds United reportedly made a late offer to sign Aston Villa attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia at the end of the summer transfer window, but were thwarted by their Premier League rivals.
According to Transfermarkt, the Argentine international has scored 24 goals and provided 41 assists in 121 games for Daniel Farke’s Norwich, and the German was keen to reunite with him at Elland Road.
Unfortunately, Villa decided to keep their 28-year-old star, but it turned out to be a great decision. According to Sofascore, Buendia has scored five goals and provided three assists in all competitions for the Villains this season, most recently scoring the winning goal against Arsenal.
The former Norwich star is currently out of reach thanks to his excellent form at Villa, but Los Blancos could land their own version of him next month.
Leeds aim to advance to Champions League
With just a few weeks to go until the January transfer window opens, the West Yorkshire outfit are eyeing potential targets to further improve the quality of their squad.
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs preparing to sign Bodø/Glimt star Jens Petter Hauge in the winter window.
According to the newspaper, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Leeds and Brighton are interested in signing the former AC Milan attacking midfielder to strengthen their respective squads for the second half of the season.
He added that Los Blancos were keen to sign the Norwegian talent in 2020 before moving to Milan and are now hoping to finally sign him five years later.
However, TEAMtalk has not revealed how much money Bodø/Glimt plans to demand from interested Premier League teams if an offer is made for his services.
Why Leeds should sign Jens Petter Hauge
Leeds will have to test the Norwegian side’s resolve with an offer for Hauge when the January transfer window opens. Because he has the qualities to become Falke’s new Buendia.
Like Villa’s star, the attacking midfielder is a versatile playmaker who can play on the left, central or right flank and regularly provide goals and assists.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “sensational” player who had lost his way, but the 26-year-old star appears to be getting back on track with Norway.
Since his return to Bodø/Glimt in January 2024, Hauge has maintained an excellent form and suggests he could be an exciting addition to Falke’s squad for the second half of the 2025/26 season.
According to Transfermarkt, the Norwegian international is the competition’s most prolific dribbler and has scored three goals in six Champions League games this season, after registering four assists in two Champions League qualifying games.
According to Transfermarkt, since his return to Bodø/Glimt, Hauge has played 93 games in all competitions, scoring 24 goals and providing 22 assists, meaning he regularly scores and assists from an attacking midfield position.
2025 Elite Series | heap |
|---|---|
Appearance | 28 |
the goal | 8 |
time per goal | 279 |
Key paths per game | 2.1 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 8 |
assist | 4 |
Statistics by Sofascore | |
As can be seen from the table above, Leeds’ transfer target ended the 2025 Eliteserien campaign with a “big chance” created by Bodø/Glimt with 16 goals in 28 games in total.
This shows that Hauge, like Buendia, is a right-footed attacking midfielder and is an invaluable player who can provide equal quality as a scorer and creator in the final third.
Of course, he is unproven in the Premier League and it remains to be seen whether he can translate his current performances to English football, but his return with three goals in six Champions League games, including this week’s goal against Borussia Dortmund, shows he is capable of performing at a high level.
This suggests that Hauge is a player worth betting on in the January transfer window to further improve the quality of the team at the top end of the pitch.
Viduka repeat: Leeds begin initial talks to sign midfield ‘machine’
Leeds United are eyeing a Scottish player who could become their next signing, such as Mark Viduka.
Leeds were unable to sign Buendia from Villa in the summer to reunite him with Falke, but the German head coach may see shades of the Argentine magician in the Bodo/Glimt star.
