Aston Villa deal Arsenal huge blow as they close in on club record signing of Emiliano Buendia after agreeing £40m deal with Norwich... as midfielder has medical in Argentina after agreeing personal terms

Aston Villa are closing on a club record £40million deal for Norwich City midfielder Emi Buendia.

The Villa Park side moved on Friday to head off competition from Arsenal by agreeing to pay £33m plus add ons up to £40m for Argentine Buendia. The clubs have also agreed a sell on percentage.

Arsenal had offered £30m plus add ons after finding out Martin Odegaard would be beyond their reach last week as Real Madrid value him at £50m.

Villa had first offered around £28m only for Arsenal to counter then Villa came back with the package Norwich wanted to seal a club record deal. 

Talks are advancing with Villa and Buendia underwent a medical in Argentina on Saturday after agreeing personal terms.

Villa, who are increasingly hopeful of completing the signing this week, are braced for a bid from Manchester City for £100m rated Jack Grealish and are determined to build a squad that can still compete in the Premier League should their talismanic captain leave.

Arsenal have also pursued Buendia with vigour but have so far failed to match Villa’s offer with Norwich pushing for their £40m valuation.

Villa paid £28m to sign striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford last year. The fee raised eyebrows but has proven to be astute business following his debut top-flight season and subsequent call up to the England squad.

Buendia is currently with Argentina’s squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers and the Copa America.