Leeds United have to have alternatives in mind for Facundo Buonanotte after a deal for the Brighton ace was hijacked by Chelsea.
Time is of the essence and Leeds United and the 49ers’ recruitment team will be well aware of that fact. Adam Underwood and co. should have a list of targets and they no longer need analysis or reports on any new players at this stage.
Anybody Leeds might sign now will be a player they are informed on already, with it simply being about what fits best and what is the best and most affordable deal they can do before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
That said, there is a creative hole in the squad. Daniel Farke has made clear he wants a versatile creative player at the very least and Facundo Buonanotte was earmarked as one who could be utilised as a right-sided winger or No.10.
Stade Rennais playmaker Ludovic Blas
Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Ludovic Blas could be perfect for Leeds instead of Facundo Buonanotte
Graham Smyth stated Buonanotte’s flight was cancelled to Leeds on Thursday, with Friday developments emerging that Chelsea hijacked the move for Buonanotte to Leeds, with BlueCo also agreeing a straight loan.
That came as a result of Spurs’ move for Xavi Simons, as Chelsea have moved for the 20-year-old playmaker as a similarly versatile attacking option, much like the former RB Leipzig and PSG star.
Smyth has explained the situation for Leeds post-Buonanotte. They now have to sign a forward with a touch of creativity and ideally someone who can operate as an attacking midfielder or winger comfortably.
Leeds could sign a current teammate of Glen Kamara’s with Ludovic Blas of Stade Rennais very similar to Buonanotte in positional terms but also in his overall skill-set.
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In that sense, it’s fair to speculate that he is someone Leeds will be considering. He is a left-footed No.10 or right winger. The 27-year-old Frenchman is technically gifted and inventive.
Leeds need incision in the final third, with someone who can be a lock picker and conjure up match-winning moments from nothing; that description epitomises Blas in a Rennes shirt.
Blas has even been compared to Riyad Mahrez in terms of how he plays stylistically, per Target Scouting.
Stade Rennais' Ludovic Blas
Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images
Ludovic Blas’ career numbers for Stade Rennais
Last season, following Kamara joining Rennes from Leeds, he was the best of Blas’ career so far with 14 goals and assists in 31 games. He may not be a player with potential now that he is at his peak, but Blas is in his prime.
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2025/26 2 1 0
2024/25 31 6 8
2023/24 42 7 1
Ludovic Blas’ Rennes career
45 goals and 18 assists came in 159 games for FC Nantes as well. Those sorts of numbers could be differentials for Leeds in the final third. His versatility means he could also be used as a No.10 in a 4-2-3-1 or the right-sided winger in a 4-3-3.
That flexibility is also vital to Farke and why Leeds’ recruitment team have surely identified Blas as one of the targets ahead of deadline day as an alternative to Buonanotte.