Leeds have now been offered the chance to sign a former La Liga star who’s been praised for his physicality, with Daniel Farke still on the lookout for new signings after sealing Facundo Buonanotte’s loan.
Leeds seal loan deal for Facundo Buonanotte
Following news this morning, Leeds have reached a verbal agreement to sign Buonanotte on loan for the remainder of the season, with the Argentine set to travel to West Yorkshire to complete the formalities.
The deal represents a redemption arc for the Whites, who were close to landing the 21-year-old last summer before Chelsea hijacked the move at the eleventh hour.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Chelsea will terminate Buonanotte’s current loan, allowing him to return to Brighton before immediately joining Leeds until the end of the campaign.
The playmaker has endured a frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge, featuring for just 45 minutes in the Premier League this season across eight appearances in all competitions.
Leeds have reportedly been working quietly on reviving their interest since late December, with club officials keen to put the summer disappointment behind them.
Reports suggest Buonanotte is now travelling to Leeds to complete his medical and finalise the switch (Nizaar Kinsella), though it remains uncertain whether he will be registered in time for Saturday’s clash against Fulham.
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Farke has remained tight-lipped on the transfer until official confirmation but previously identified attacking reinforcements as a priority despite Leeds’ recent upturn in form.
The German views Buonanotte as the ideal profile to fill the creative void in his squad, with the left-footed forward capable of operating on the right wing or centrally as a number 10 (Yorkshire Evening Post).
With the Buonanotte all set to finally join Leeds, Farke is still on the lookout for a centre-forward who can bolster his ranks this month.
It is believed they’ve already been offered the chance to sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, but the Norwegian isn’t Farke’s only option.
Leeds United offered Roma striker Artem Dovbyk
According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey today, Leeds have also been ‘offered’ Roma striker Artem Dovbyk.
The Ukraine international, who was a star player for Girona and ended 2023/2024 as La Liga’s top scorer, finds himself out of Gian Piero Gasperini’s long-term plans.
As a result, he’s now been floated towards Elland Road, but Bailey also reports that the chances of a deal are actually looking slim right now.
Roma have just signed Donyell Malen from Aston Villa after also sealing a deal for Robinio Vaz from Marseille, freeing up an exit for Dovbyk who’s scored three goals across just 17 appearances in all competitions this season.
While the 28-year-old has been pushed in Leeds’ direction, it is believed that the move is deemed unlikely, due to the fact that Dovbyk is currently sidelined with a thigh problem.
Dovbyk isn’t expected to return to action for another two months either, meaning he is probably a summer option at best.
That being said, the forward has been lavished with praise for his past form at Girona.
Speaking to Diari de Girona in 2024, former Mallorca striker Dani Guiza heralded Dovbyk as a ‘tank’ who ‘has it all’.
“Dovbyk has it all,” Guiza said.
“He is a tank, he is fast, and a goal scorer. Big teams will fight for him, but hopefully, he will stay at Girona. It is very difficult for a small club to have a player who wins the Pichichi. If Dovbyk continues like this, it will be a sign of a good player.”
Once he recovers later in the year, perhaps Leeds could consider taking a chance on him.
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