The Buonanotte Transfer Took a Strange Turn… Now We Know Why

Facundo Buonanotte officially arrived at Leeds United on loan from Brighton last week, marking the end of a long pursuit by the Elland Road club. The Argentine attacking midfielder was included in the matchday squad as Leeds edged past Fulham 1-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, although he is still waiting to make his debut in a white shirt.

This move has been a long time coming for Leeds. Buonanotte was close to joining the club last summer, with negotiations progressing well, only for Chelsea to step in late and hijack the deal by taking him on loan instead. That late intervention completely altered Leeds’ transfer plans and left them scrambling as the deadline approached.

Chelsea’s decision to swoop in always raised eyebrows, and recent revelations have only added fuel to the frustration felt among Leeds supporters. Buonanotte struggled to feature regularly at Stamford Bridge during the first half of the season, barely getting any meaningful minutes. With his development stalling, Brighton opted to recall him midway through the campaign before arranging a fresh loan move  this time finally sending him to Leeds for the remainder of the season.

What makes the situation even more irritating for Leeds is new information that has now come to light. According to The Athletic’s Simon Johnson, Chelsea never truly intended to keep Buonanotte for the entire season. The plan from the outset was reportedly to use him as short-term cover for Cole Palmer, who was dealing with injury issues early in the campaign, before allowing him to leave during the January window.

In other words, Buonanotte was never seen as a long-term option at Chelsea. That revelation will understandably anger Leeds fans, especially given that the club missed out on him in the summer and ended up making no signings at all on deadline day once the move collapsed.

There is also uncertainty over whether Buonanotte himself was fully aware of Chelsea’s short-term intentions. Had he known he was only being viewed as temporary cover, it’s quite possible he would have chosen Leeds instead, where he was clearly wanted and seen as a key part of the project.

While Leeds have now finally secured their man, the episode highlights the power and influence elite clubs can wield in the transfer market  even when they don’t truly need a player. Smaller clubs are often left to pick up the pieces when plans are disrupted late in the window.

Although Buonanotte has yet to play a competitive minute for Leeds since joining, there is already speculation about the possibility of a permanent deal at the end of the season. Leeds’ interest in him stretches back well over a year, underlining just how highly Daniel Farke and the recruitment team rate the 21-year-old.

Now, the focus shifts firmly to the pitch. Buonanotte must settle quickly, adapt to Farke’s system, and prove why Leeds were so determined to bring him to Elland Road. His performances over the coming months will be crucial in deciding whether the club pushes for a permanent transfer.

That said, adapting mid-season is never straightforward. With limited time to adjust to new teammates, tactics, and the demands of the Championship, there are no guarantees he will hit the ground running. Much will also depend on Brighton’s stance in the summer, as Leeds are unlikely to sanction a large transfer fee unless Buonanotte clearly proves his value during the loan spell.

For now, Leeds finally have the player they wanted but whether this story ends with a permanent move remains firmly in Buonanotte’s hands.