The Telegraph's John Percy has dropped a major transfer update involving Aston Villa's pursuit of Norwich star Emi Buendia.

What's the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that Buendia is a target for Dean Smith's side in the upcoming summer transfer window, and there's now a fresh update that should have fans of the club absolutely buzzing.

Percy has revealed that Villa are going head to head with fellow Premier League side Arsenal in the race to sign the Argentine, but it appears it's the Midlands club who are beginning to steal a march.

It's claimed that while there has been no formal bid made yet, Villa are keen on getting their business done early, and are understood to be preparing an offer for the Canaries play-maker.

Fans will be buzzing

Given Buendia's performances in the Championship this season, it's no surprise to see that Villa are after him, and why Lee Hendrie is desperate for him to join the club this summer.

The former Villa ace told This Is Futbol: "I think a big club will definitely try and take him. I know you can say he’s done it in the Championship, but you could say that about (Said) Benrahma, you could say that about Ollie Watkins.

"I feel that Buendia, I mean we’ve seen him in a very good Norwich side in the Championship, I feel in a Villa side… wow. If I could say or had a big say in bringing players in, he's the one on top of my list that I would bring into Aston Villa."

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He provided a whopping 15 goals and 17 assists last season in the Championship, winning the division's player of the year award and being dubbed as "very special"  by Norwich defender Ben Gibson.

Villa fans will be absolutely buzzing with the news that the club are keen to get their business done as soon as possible, as it will allow Smith to integrate any new signings into pre-season and ensure they can hit the ground running at Villa Park.

Percy's update is also significant in the sense that Villa are keen to get ahead of the competition, and making a move early to sneak ahead of Arsenal to sign Buendia is the kind of proactive transfer dealing that will stand the club in good stead and will please fans.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing up a potential Buendia alternative...