Brighton & Hove Albion playmaker Facundo Buonanotte joined Chelsea instead of Leeds United’s just days before the transfer deadline this summer.
Facundo Buonanotte was a serious target for Leeds United during the most recent summer transfer window, but he chose to join Chelsea from Brighton on a season-long loan deal after a late decision not to join Leeds.
It looked as though he would join Daniel Farke’s side but Buonanotte’s flight to Leeds was cancelled four days before the deadline 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. To seal the deal, Chelsea paid a £2 million loan fee for Buonanotte to bring him in from Brighton. However, it’s been a strange start for him at Chelsea.
Facundo Buonanotte in action for Chelsea.
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Leeds target Facundo Buonanotte twist emerges as Chelsea Champions League squad updated
It was claimed Brighton preferred a loan to England all summer and it looked as though Leeds would sign Buonanotte before the deadline, with a loan deal struck for Buonanotte under the same terms.
It would have been a significant capture, given his versatility to operate as a No.10 or right-sided winger. The playmaker is also a set-piece taker and Buonanotte has been a long-term Leeds target, dating back over two years now.
Now, many connected with Leeds are hoping for the 20-year-old to fail at one of their biggest rivals. Buonanotte was out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad, with many wondering if the Argentine has now made a mistake in choosing them over Leeds.
Our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey believes Buonanotte made the right decision with Chelsea over Leeds, in spite of that update. However, Buonanotte was hooked at half-time for Chelsea during the weekend’s game against Brentford.
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It appears he won’t be featuring all that often with Cole Palmer back fit for Enzo Maresca, but there has been a significant development since then — and Bailey may now be proven right longer-term.
Ben Jacobs has revealed Chelsea will now include him in their Champions League squad. They have reversed the decision and he has replaced the injured Dario Essugo. UEFA rules allow for the replacement of a long-term injury.
Dario Essugo (UD Las Palmas) seen in action during the
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Leeds also looked at Dario Essugo last season
It could be argued that it should not be allowed to happen, especially considering Chelsea’s depth even without Essugo. That could well mean Buonanotte barely features still.
However, the interesting factor here is regarding Essugo. Both he and Buonanotte have been linked to a move to West Yorkshires in recent seasons. Essugo was linked to Leeds in December but Chelsea swiftly snapped up the former Sporting CP midfielder.
Barcelona and Real Madrid liked Essugo. However, in the end Chelsea looked to seal a £17 million Essugo deal. The fee ended up being closer to £18.5 million for Leeds target Essugo in the end.
Unfortunately, neither he nor Buonanotte play for Leeds. Chelsea signed 10 first-team players this summer and Essugo and Buonanotte were among them.