Leeds United missed out on a playmaker late in the window, with Facundo Buonanotte joining Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Facundo Buonanotte was a serious target for Leeds United, but he chose to move from Brighton to Chelsea on a season-long loan deal after an 11th hour U-turn.
Buonanotte is a long-term Leeds target, dating back over two years now. It was then exclusively revealed by Leeds United News what Brighton’s stance on Buonanotte was and that Leeds have ‘never left the table’ in terms of their interest.
He has set-piece delivery, as well as the ability to be utilised as either a No.10 or winger. The Whites wanted that profile to finish off their attack and it was even said at one stage that Leeds then led the race for Buonanotte.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesGraeme Bailey backs Facundo Buonanotte decision to join Chelsea over Leeds
It looked for all the world like they would sign Buonanotte before the deadline, with a loan deal between Brighton and Leeds likely to go through after it was claimed Brighton preferred a loan to England as well this summer.
Of course, that didn’t materialise, but Leeds United News have learnt that Buonanotte always favoured a move to Borussia Dortmund. However, Dortmund saw bid rejected for Buonanotte due to Brighton’s preference, which is why the door was open for Leeds.
A twist then emerged, as Graham Smyth confirmed Buonanotte’s Thursday flight to Leeds was cancelled following reports they had agreed the move. Initially, it was not known why, but it quickly became clear that there was an issue with the deal.
Then, disaster struck, as Chelsea then hijacked the move for Buonanotte. That was the twist, which led to Chelsea paying a £2 million loan fee for Buonanotte to bring him in from Brighton.
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One Leeds United News source added that people inside the club cannot believe that Brighton have allowed the move to happen, given that it already doesn’t appear that likely that he will feature regularly in Enzo Maresca’s plans.
That has been compounded recently after it was revealed that Buonanotte is already out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad, with many wondering if the Argentine has now made a mistake in joining them over Leeds.
Leeds United News asked our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey for his verdict on that situation, but also if he has heard anything from inside the club about Leeds’ view of Buonanotte over his decision.
On Buonanotte to Chelsea, we asked if it was viewed as ridiculous for him to go to Chelsea after the Champions League omission reveal. Bailey responded: “Is it ridiculous that he chose Chelsea? If he plays 10-15 games, he gets a permanent move to Chelsea.”
We then asked, what would happen next to Buonanotte and if he would then be sent to RC Strasbourg on loan instead. He added: “No, this is an audition for him to become a Chelsea player. Chelsea love him as a player.
“I don’t see any day of the week that Buonanotte would join Leeds over Chelsea. He will play more than you think at Chelsea. We’ll see. It’s the lad’s choice and obviously he didn’t think Leeds was the right move.”
Dan Moylan explains what Robbie Evans thinks of Facundo Buonanotte
Dan Moylan of The Square Ball spoke to Managing Director Robbie Evans after the Newcastle United game, claiming that Buonanotte came up in conversation between the pair: “Chris just said, ‘do you want, to come and sit in the director’s box?’
“And I thought, ‘It’s the final couple of days of the transfer window. What an opportunity to go ruffle some feathers.’ And I did. I spoke to I spoke to Robbie Evans. I did. Howard Wilkinson was there.”
Michael Normanton responded: “Did you manage to get his phone off him or anything? Have a look through his WhatsApps?”
Moylan answered: “Well, I did ask him for a message on the way out. I’ll tell you what I will say. What I will say on on the Buonanotte thing is they kind of just almost just nonplussed. It’s like what you doing? It’s terrible, isn’t it?
“What he’s like to go to Chelsea under those circumstances. What do you think you’re going to play?”