In a move that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world and left fans scratching their heads, Aston Villa has opted to lock down star midfielder Emi Buendia until 2027—only to promptly send him on a thrilling loan adventure to Bayer Leverkusen, where he will evidently be playing a game of hide-and-seek in the Bundesliga. Sources say that Villa manager is quite fond of hide-and-seek, as it allows players to develop their stealth skills, which could be particularly useful during those nail-biting relegation battles. "What better way to foster a sense of teamwork than by having the entire squad looking for one of our best players?" he seems to have implied in a press conference, chuckling at the thought of Buendia evading detection in Germany. According to sightings reported by bewildered locals, Buendia has already changed his hairstyle three times since touching down in Leverkusen, hoping to avoid recognition as he dodges fans and paparazzi alike. "It’s a fun little game!" he quipped as he merged into a crowd of Bundesliga mascots, armed with nothing but his flair for the dramatic and a penchant for camouflage. Aston Villa's decision to extend Buendia's contract appears to be rooted in thorough strategy: if he's so popular that even the Germans want him, might as well keep him under lock and key for a few more years—right? This move clearly demonstrates Aston Villa's commitment to the long-term vision that includes sending a top-tier player on an extended scavenger hunt each year. Fans of Aston Villa, meanwhile, are over the moon. In an official statement, club representatives noted, "We believe in sending our players on escapades that allow them to discover new talents—like evading enthusiastic fans, enduring a language barrier, and developing negotiation skills while managing their own clandestine escapades." Leverkusen’s manager, clearly excited, remarked, “We’re thrilled to welcome Buendia, although I’m not sure how effective he’ll be on the pitch if he spends all his time hiding!" But that’s not the only mystery surrounding the transfer; there's still unanswered questions about the option to buy, which, according to insiders, is likely to hinge on how well Buendia can keep himself obscure from the opposing team’s defense. As Aston Villa fans wonder how many more games of swapsies their squad might indulge in next, Buendia is reportedly eyeing up the local coffee shops as potential hiding spots, all while dreaming of returning to Villa Park with a trophy of some sort. Perhaps it will just be a figurative triumph, like winning the best at hide-and-seek. And in the unpredictable world of football, who could argue that’s not worth extending a five-year contract?