Leeds United could be free to strike on one of their long-time transfer targets this January.

According to Football.London, the Whites’ top-flight rivals, Arsenal, have not made contact with Norwich City over a move for their playmaking maestro, Emi Buendia.

They claim that any deal is very much dependant on the Championship outfit, though he is a player that is on their list of potential targets, meaning the Yorkshire giants will have to strike if they are to make amends for missing out on him, not just once, but twice.

Buendia joined the Canaries from right under Leeds’ nose in the summer of 2018 as he enjoyed a breakthrough campaign on loan to Cultural Leonesa, who are affiliated with the Elland Road-based side.

Norwich’s sporting director told the Telegraph about the transfer last year, he revealed: “We literally found him from nowhere. The most interesting part of it is that Buendia was on loan at Cultural Leonesa, who are owned by Leeds. Luckily we got in there under Leeds’ noses.”

While in the latest transfer window, United were linked with a move for the uncapped Argentine once again.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay claimed in June that the club have made an enquiry for Buendia, even if it was “only a small ask,” the intent over a potential swoop was there.

At just 23, he could be a perfect fit for what Marcelo Bielsa is trying to do in Yorkshire.

In the Premier League last season, only Man City sensation Kevin De Bruyne averaged more than Buendia’s 3.3 key passes per 90 minutes whilst only three other players managed to create more chances (the Belgian, Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold) yet he finds himself enjoying another campaign in the second-flight.

The attacking midfielder has contributed to seven goals in 11 starts already, recording 3.2 key passes, three shots and 1.3 dribbles per appearance, via WhoScored.

It’s no wonder Canaries boss Daniel Farke once lauded Buendia as a “game-changer” as without him, they may not be sitting at the top of the tree in the Championship.

Orta may well be inclined to pull the trigger on Jack Harrison in January, but first, he should look to make amends to his nightmare over Buendia. It may come at a reported cost of £25m, but a creative player like that needs to be at Leeds in the Premier League.

In fact, both this and last season, the Argentine managed more key passes than Harrison, as per WhoScored. He should be a top priority with Arsenal yet to make contact.

AND in other news, Leeds dodged an almighty bullet in £27m flop this summer…