Emi Buendia was one of the shining lights in an otherwise dismal 2019/20 Premier League campaign for Norwich City, which saw the Canaries relegated.
His name was constantly linked with a move away last summer, but Buendia stayed put and has further cemented his status as a fan favourite at Carrow Road as the attacking midfielder was an integral part of his side's Championship title tilt in the 2020/21 season, which sees Daniel Farke's men return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Whether Buendia will still adorn a Norwich shirt next season however remains to be seen, with football.london previously reporting Arsenal were keen on the 24-year-old, whose representatives have a close relationship with the Gunners.
Arsenal's midfield has proved lacklustre in attack this season, with Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard registering two Premier League goals between them, while Mohamed Elneny, Dani Ceballos and Thomas Partey are yet to find the net domestically.
Goals from midfield has never been an issue for Buendia though, who has notched a whopping 31 goal contributions thus far this season, with 14 goals and 17 assists.
If Arsenal think Buendia is the answer to their midfield woes, luring him to the Emirates will not come cheap - according to Mail Online, the Canaries have slapped a £40million price tag on their prized asset.
Mikel Arteta, alongside technical director Edu, will have a decision to make ahead of what could be an eventful summer transfer window for the Gunners.
Given the coronavirus pandemic, many of the Premier League's biggest sides are relatively strapped for cash - including Arsenal, who may have to choose between Buendia and loan signing Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis, who is also rumoured to be valued around the £40m mark by his parent club Real Madrid.
The reported price tag comes on the back of comments from Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber earlier this year, hinting Buendia - and other star players - could be sold at the right price.
“We have our valuation and if people don’t want to pay that, they don’t get them. We don’t see it as us being unreasonable, we do know what our players are worth, what we’ve done for them, and what we want to be compensated for if they were to go," he told the Athletic in February.
“It’s inevitable that interest will come for those three because they’re terrific players and very experienced now for their age.
“When their journey here ends, we’ll make sure they get to a good place. Most importantly, their legacy has to be leaving Norwich in the best place it can be.”
