Arsenal have made a big step towards sealing their first transfer of the summer.
On Thursday night it was revealed that 24 hours earlier, the Gunners had lodged their first formal offer for Norwich City attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia.
As reported by football.london, the bid which is believed to be in the region of £30million inclusive of add-ons, was also matched by fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, who want to prize the 24-year-old away from Carrow Road too.
Following 15 goals and 16 assists in the Championship this season, it's no surprise that interest in Buendia is high and that Arsenal have a fight on their hands.
With that said, whilst a source has told football.london that it will be a 'difficult choice' for Buendia if both Arsenal and Villa offer similar financial packages, the Gunners remain confident of landing their man later this month - and a decision could be imminent based on events in the past few hours.
Buendia is currently away on international duty with Argentina ahead of this summer's Copa America as he is looking to win his first cap for the national team.
However, he was denied the chance to do so when La Albiceleste faced Chile in a World Cup qualifier in the early hours of Friday morning (UK time).
It's unclear as to why Buendia wasn't even included in Lionel Scaloni's matchday squad, but with the decision coming after Arsenal's bid came to light, it could be that the midfielder has been given time to sort out his future.
football.london had previously reported Arsenal's interest in Buendia last December, but the club never made a formal approach for the midfielder and switched their focus to Martin Odegaard, who joined on loan from Real Madrid in January.
Although, it was also understood that if Gunners technical director Edu failed in his attempts to bring Odegaard back to north London, then it will be Buendia who becomes the prime target.
With a bid being launched for Buendia, it would all but confirm that the north London outfit have moved on from the Norway international.
