During the summer transfer window, Leeds United aimed to make a big signing to help offset the departure of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter from their attack.
After all the sales this past summer, it seemed 49ers Enterprise wanted to make a marquee signing. However, that big-name player never arrived, and it had more to do with their not wanting to play in the Championship.
In the final hours leading up to deadline day, The Whites had focused on Dinamo Zagreb’s attacking midfielder, Martin Baturina, to fill the No. 10 role.
Reports indicate the transfer would have set a Championship record at around £25 million. While the Croatian club accepted the offer, Baturina decided to reject the move, feeling it wasn’t the right step for him at this point in his career.
Leeds swung big for Aston Villa standout
Leeds wasn’t just aiming for Baturina this summer. According to chief executive Angus Kinnear, they also made a move for Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia during the transfer window. However, much like Dinamo Zagreb’s young star, the Argentine had no desire to play in England’s second tier.
“I can talk specifically about two examples… Two players that would fit the bill significantly better than who we have currently and bear in mind we’re looking at replacing a £40m player which is obviously going to be challenging at Championship level,” Kinnear said on the Square Ball podcast.
“Buendia was on our list, and very clearly [the feedback] from Aston Villa [was that he] wasn’t going to be released, and the player didn’t want to come back down. He felt he’d served his time at Championship level.”
The question in the January transfer window is whether Leeds can convince a quality player to drop to the Championship. It’s now proven that the club will spend the money to lure a top player, but the hurdle remains convincing them to be part of their project.
Leeds landing a quality player of Buendia’s caliber in January could be what puts them over the top in terms of earning promotion. However, missing on a target of that level might also keep them in the Championship for another season.
