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Leeds lining up move for “sensational” UCL star
Leeds United reportedly submitted a late offer in an attempt to sign Aston Villa attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia at the end of the summer transfer window, only to be blocked by their Premier League rivals.
The Argentina international scored 24 goals and provided 41 assists in 121 matches for Norwich under Daniel Farke, per Transfermarkt, and the German was looking for a reunion with him at Elland Road.
Unfortunately, Villa decided to keep hold of the 28-year-old star, which turned out to be a brilliant decision. Per Sofascore, Buendia has delivered five goals and three assists in all competitions for the Villans this season, recently scoring the winner against Arsenal.
Whilst the former Norwich star is now out of their reach, due to his fantastic form for Villa, the Whites could land their own version of him next month.
Leeds eyeing move for Champions League forward
The January transfer window is only a matter of weeks away from opening for business, and the West Yorkshire outfit have their eye on a potential target to add more quality to their squad.
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs lining up a move to sign Bodo/Glimt star Jens Petter Hauge in the winter window.
The report claims that Crystal Palace, Brentford, Leeds, and Brighton are all interested in signing the former AC Milan attacking midfielder, as they look to bolster their respective squads ahead of the second half of the season.
It adds that the Whites were keen on signing the Norwegian talent back in 2020, before his move to Milan, and they are looking to finally snap him up, five years later.
TEAMtalk, however, does not reveal how much money Bodo/Glimt are set to demand from any of the interested Premier League teams, should offers come in for his services.
Why Leeds should sign Jens Petter Hauge
Leeds should test the Norwegian side’s resolve with an offer for Hauge when the January transfer window opens for business, because he has the quality to be Farke’s new Buendia.
Like the Villa star, the attacking midfielder is a versatile playmaker who can play on the left, through the middle, or off the right to provide goals and assists on a regular basis.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “sensational” player who had lost his way, and the 26-year-old star is seemingly back to his ‘sensational’ ways in Norway.
Since returning to Bodo/Glimt in January 2024, Hauge has been in impressive form that suggests that he could be an exciting addition to Farke’s squad ahead of the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Norway international, who has been the most prolific dribbler in the competition, has scored three goals in six matches in the Champions League this season, after delivering four assists in two Champions League qualifiers, per Transfermarkt.
Since his return to Bodo/Glimt, Hauge has produced 24 goals and 22 assists in 93 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he has provided goals and assists on a regular basis from attacking midfield positions.
|
2025 Eliteserien |
Hauge |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
28 |
|
Goals |
8 |
|
Minutes per goal |
279 |
|
Key passes per game |
2.1 |
|
Big chances created |
8 |
|
Assists |
4 |
As you can see in the table above, the Leeds transfer target ended the 2025 Eliteserien campaign with 16 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 28 outings for Bodo/Glimt.
This shows that, like Buendia, Hauge is another right-footed attacking midfielder who can provide quality in the final third as both a scorer and a creator in equal measure, which makes him an incredibly valuable player.
Of course, he is unproven in the Premier League and it remains to be seen whether or not he can translate his current performances over to English football, but a return of three goals in six Champions League matches, including a goal against Borussia Dortmund this week, shows that he can perform at a high level.
This suggests that Hauge is a player who is worth taking a gamble on in the January transfer window in an attempt to add more quality to the side at the top end of the pitch.
A Viduka repeat: Leeds open initial talks to sign midfield “machine”
Leeds United are eyeing up a player from Scotland who could be their next Mark Viduka-type signing.
Leeds were unable to sign Buendia from Villa in the summer to reunite him with Farke, but the German head coach may see shades of the Argentine magician in this Bodo/Glimt star.
