Villarreal have successfully finalized a permanent transfer for Canadian international Tajon Buchanan from Inter Milan in a deal worth €9 million, marking the end of a complex negotiation process that began after his successful loan spell.
The La Liga club will pay Inter a fee of €9 million, plus a percentage of resale, according to reports from Italian broadcaster SportMediaset. This is a big reduction from the original €13 million buy-option clause that was included in Buchanan’s initial loan agreement in February 2025. Sources confirm Inter and Villarreal met Thursday to continue negotiations, with the deal ultimately reaching completion after extensive discussions between both clubs.
The financial structure shows Villarreal’s commitment to securing the Canadian winger permanently, despite initial hesitation about exercising the original purchase option. The Spanish club’s revised approach, offering €9 million instead of the original €12-13 million clause, proved successful in convincing Inter to accept a lower fee while maintaining a sell-on percentage for future profits.
Journey from Loan to Permanent Move
Buchanan’s path to a permanent move began with his January 2025 loan transfer to Villarreal, where the La Liga club were impressed with the 26-year-old’s performances over the second half of his last season, despite an ankle injury at the start of his stint there. The Canadian international had struggled for regular playing time at Inter Milan, with Buchanan revealing the main reason behind his decision to leave Inter Milan was a lack of first-team chances at the San Siro.
During his loan spell, Villarreal initially appeared reluctant to make the move permanent, with reports in May suggesting the club was not keen on exercising their buy option. However, Buchanan’s continued development and adaptation to Spanish football evidently changed their perspective, leading to renewed negotiations for a permanent deal.
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Player Development and Positional Clarity
The move to Villarreal has allowed Buchanan to return to his preferred position as an attacking winger. “My strongest position is a winger and right now, that’s where I’m going to play,” he stated, wearing the No. 9 shirt left vacant by Arnaut Danjuma’s loan to Girona. This positional clarity represents a significant improvement from his time at Inter, where he was often deployed as a wing-back rather than in his natural attacking role.
Buchanan has acknowledged that the Villarreal loan helped him regain form and confidence, with the 26-year-old Brampton native finding more regular playing time in Spain compared to his limited opportunities in Serie A. His performances during the loan spell, including crucial assists and goals in the latter stages of the season, convinced Villarreal’s management to pursue a permanent arrangement.
Strategic Implications and Future Prospects
The permanent acquisition of Buchanan aligns with Villarreal’s long-term strategic planning, particularly as they continue to compete for European qualification. The Canadian international’s pace, directness, and ability to create goalscoring opportunities from wide positions make him a valuable asset for their attacking system.
For Inter Milan, the sale represents a successful resolution to Buchanan’s situation, allowing them to recoup a significant portion of their investment while maintaining a sell-on clause for potential future profits. The Nerazzurri had been eager to offload the winger as part of their summer reorganization, making this permanent move beneficial for all parties involved.
The completion of this transfer marks a new chapter in Buchanan’s European career, providing him with the stability and regular playing time necessary to continue his development at the highest level while representing a shrewd piece of business for Villarreal in securing a proven international talent.
Medical Clearance and Contract Finalization
Reports indicate that Buchanan successfully completed his medical examinations at Villarreal’s training facilities earlier this week, with all physical assessments confirming his full recovery from the ankle injury that briefly sidelined him during his initial loan period. The Canadian international has signed a four-year contract with the Yellow Submarine, running until 2029, demonstrating the club’s long-term faith in his abilities.
Club sources tells that Buchanan’s integration into Villarreal’s pre-season preparations has been seamless, with manager Marcelino García Toral praising the winger’s professionalism and tactical adaptability. The permanent signing allows Villarreal to build their attacking strategy around Buchanan’s pace and creativity, particularly as they prepare for another challenging La Liga campaign and potential European competition qualification.
