Leeds United have had a bad day in the transfer window today. Their pursuit of Brighton attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte has been brutally hijacked by Premier League giants Chelsea, who are on the cusp of signing him on a loan deal this summer.
The Yorkshire giants thought they had a deal in place to sign the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, and he was booked to fly out to Leeds today to undergo a medical and finalise the formalities of a season-long loan move to Elland Road. However, everything unravelled this morning.
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Chelsea convinced the Argentinian to move to Stamford Bridge instead of Elland Road, and are now in advanced negotiations with Brighton to finalise the terms of the loan deal for Buonanotte.
Leeds are rapidly running out of time to bring in more attacking quality before Monday’s transfer deadline, and the club are now looking at the options on their shortlist of targets in the coming hours.
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Leeds United turn their attention towards Bilal El Khannouss
El Khannouss has been one of the top targets for Leeds this summer, and the club had detailed discussions with his representatives last month.
They were prepared to pay the now-expired release clause and all the associated costs to take him to Elland Road, but he had other offers on his table.
A move to Crystal Palace collapsed after Leicester City made last-minute changes to the terms of a deal, and the Foxes are now keen to sell him to Saudi Arabia.
With Buonanotte on his way to Chelsea, according to Football Insider, Leeds are again exploring a deal to sign El Khannouss in the final days of the window.
Daniel Farke remains keen on the 21-year-old Moroccan, and the club are now trying to assess the possibility of taking him to Elland Road.
El Khannouss has gone on a warpath with Leicester to force his way out of the club and has threatened to spend the season on the stands if he doesn’t get his wish.
He wants to play in the Premier League, and Leeds are now ready to offer him a late-window exit route out of the King Power Stadium this summer.
Leicester want in excess of £30m before agreeing to sell the attacking midfielder this summer.
Leeds are running out of time and targets
El Khannouss remains open to a move late in the window, but Leicester are tricky negotiators, and Leeds do not have the time to sit on a deal for too long.
It is unclear whether the Whites want to pay in excess of £30m for the player, but they may be out of options, given their need and the lack of time.
Leeds could still turn to Manor Solomon and look to agree a loan deal to take the Tottenham winger back to Elland Road before Monday’s transfer deadline.
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