The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CONNECT
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
C
O
N
N
E
C
T
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Link" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case link = connect.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CONNECT mean?
CONNECT verb- (of an object) To join (to another object): to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to another object.
- (of two objects) To join: to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to each other.
- (of an object) To join (two other objects), or to join (one object) to (another object): to be a link between two objects, thereby attaching them to each other.
- (of a person) To join (two other objects), or to join (one object) to (another object): to take one object and attach it to another.
- To join an electrical or telephone line to a circuit or network.
- To associate; to establish a relation between.
- To make a travel connection; to switch from one means of transport to another as part of the same trip.