Leeds United missed out on a number of signings in the summer transfer window, particularly in attacking areas, with Facundo Buonanotte one such example.
It was no secret that Brighton & Hove Albion winger or No.10 Facundo Buonanotte was actively pursued by Leeds United during the summer transfer window, but he eventually joined Chelsea on loan instead.
It’s got many scratching their heads over the 20-year-old Argentine and his decision, especially as Buonanotte has been a long-term target for Leeds. That dates back over two years now and will have made him feel wanted.
The reality for the Whites is that it truly looked like Leeds would finally land Buonanotte before the transfer deadline, with a loan deal struck for Buonanotte to leave Brighton and head to Leeds after a successful Leicester City loan the season prior.
Facundo Buonanotte explains why he left Brighton for Chelsea loan and not Leeds
The story goes that it looked for all the world 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 in some capacity. That transpired to be that Chelsea had hijacked Leeds’ move for Buonanotte. They, too, also agreed a loan deal.
Like Leeds were planning to do, Chelsea paid £2 million with a loan fee for Buonanotte to bring him in from Brighton. Now, Buonanotte has revealed why he made the decision to snub Leeds.
Per TyC Sports, Buonanotte said: “What you want is to play so you can be in the Argentine national team, but when a club as big as Chelsea comes along, you can’t say no.
“I wanted to take on this challenge to prove I’m up to it. (I’m) very happy and very comfortable. It’s (the Premier League) the best league in the world.
“It never ceases to surprise you. Something different can happen every minute.”
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Graeme Bailey’s verdict on Buonanotte joining Chelsea from Brighton over Leeds
It has been a particularly confusing deal, especially when Buonanotte was out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad. Enzo Maresca has since reversed that Buonanotte situation and he is back in the plans after an injury.
Some have agreed with the decision, however. Our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey believes Buonanotte made the right decision with Chelsea over Leeds.
He said: “Is it ridiculous that he chose Chelsea? If he plays 10-15 games, he gets a permanent move to Chelsea.”
We then asked what would happen next to Buonanotte and if he would then be sent to RC Strasbourg on loan instead? He added: “No, this is an audition for him to become a Chelsea player. Chelsea love him as a player.
“I don’t see any day of the week that Buonanotte would join Leeds over Chelsea. He will play more than you think at Chelsea. We’ll see. It’s the lad’s choice and obviously he didn’t think Leeds was the right move.”
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