Leeds had Facundo Buonanotte flight booked, he’s not boarded and is moving elsewhere
Leeds United have missed out on signing Facundo Buonanotte.
Brighton outcast Buonanotte had emerged as a target for Leeds as Daniel Farke looks to add to his squad before the 1 September transfer deadline at Elland Road.
This had previously seen a loan move be sanctioned at Leeds for Buonanotte ahead of a temporary switch from the Amex, after a spell at Leicester City last campaign.
Now, a deal for Buonanotte looks unlikely to go through for the Whites after seemingly being beaten to the punch ahead of Leeds’ clash with Newcastle United.
Facundo Buonanotte snubs Leeds to travel elsewhere
With just days remaining in the window, it is clear that Leeds want to add to their squad further after an already busy window.
Leeds United incomings at this stage of the summer:
- James Justin
- Noah Okafor
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Lucas Perri
- Anton Stach
- Sean Longstaff
- Gabriel Gudmundsson
- Sebastiaan Bornauw
- Jaka Bijol
- Lukas Nmecha
It appears that the attacking midfield area is one that Farke wants to improve with such strong links at Leeds to Buonanotte this summer.
After a positive time in a relegated Leicester side, there is no doubt that the former Rosario Central youngster would have made a positive addition.
Now it looks as if Brighton’s 20-year-old talent is instead going to join Chelsea after the Blues edged closer to his signing before the end of the window.
This comes after David Ornstein reported, via The Athletic on 30 August, that a straight loan without an option to buy looks set to go through at Stamford Bridge.
Leeds had moved close to signing the Argentine and even booked a flight for the midfielder on Thursday afternoon, but he opted against joining in order to move the West London.
A medical was also being prepped for Buononotte in LS11 in West Yorkshire before his gaze was averted to a bizarre switch to the Club World Cup champions.
Leeds United must turn to new targets
With so little time remaining in the window, it could now prove to be tough to land a new signing after missing out on the Brighton man.
After making an impact at Leicester, Buonanotte could have replicated that at Leeds if given a regular opportunity, but he has made his choice now.
Instead, Farke and Co. have to look at other options and quickly, with just two days to go before the summer market comes to an end.
It will be interesting to see if another deal can be sorted in such a timely fashion, but no doubt that the Argentine’s snub will come as a hugely frustrating blow.
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