Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Sun 5 April 2026 11:10, UK

Leeds United are unlikely to sign Facundo Buonanotte permanently at the end of the season after a nightmare stint – but their loss will be another club’s gain.

The 21-year-old forward was the only senior recruit during the winter transfer window at Elland Road, having joined on loan from Brighton until the end of the campaign.

On paper, he had looked an impressive addition, boasting Premier League and Champions League experience with Chelsea, but instead, he has failed to impress in Yorkshire.

Indeed, he has only registered two appearances in the top-flight for the Whites, totalling just 24 minutes, and made next to no impact, raising questions over how it went so wrong.

Leeds will happily let Buonanotte go, but surprisingly, other clubs are queuing up for him.

Who wants to sign Facundo Buonanotte?

The ace’s last appearance for Leeds remains his dismal 45-minute outing against Birmingham City in the FA Cup back in February, when he was hooked at the half-time break.

Daniel Farke clearly does not trust Buonanotte, leaving him out of the majority of his squads this season, and may even be happy to see the back of him in the summer.

But, despite there being zero chance of him earning a reprieve at his current club, he is still a man in demand. According to journalist Mauro Palacios, River Plate want to sign him.

Speaking on Picado TV, Palacios said: “River are going to push in the next transfer window for Facundo Buonanotte. He’s 21 years old, and [manager Eduardo] Coudet knows him.

“He belongs to an English club – Brighton. He’s an attacking midfielder, a different kind of player. He’s a player who has goals in him, someone who can win you a match. If it’s not in the middle of the year, he’s the player Coudet is waiting for at the end of the year.”

This move certainly makes perfect sense. A return to Argentina, his homeland, would give Buonanotte a much-needed reset and an escape route from the doldrums at Leeds.

Buonanotte right to be annoyed at Leeds

However, Buonanotte will rightly feel aggrieved with his limited minutes at Elland Road.

Farke has continued to persist with Brenden Aaronson despite his poor form. The American winger has become a hindrance, but still, there have been no fresh chances for his rival.

It is all the more staggering in light of Buonanotte’s impressive form for Leicester City last season, when he scored nine goals across all competitions despite their relegation.

He has not become a bad player overnight, but Farke’s stubbornness has effectively consigned him to a wasted six months. Perhaps he will fare better overseas.