Brighton & Hove Albion 'agree' to loan Leeds United flop Facundo Buonanotte to La Liga outfit
Brighton & Hove Albion appear set to sanction another loan move for Leeds United flop Facundo Buonanotte
Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly set to loan Facundo Buonanotte to Elche following his underwhelming loan spell at Leeds United.
The 21-year-old was targeted by Leeds during the last summer transfer window, but the Whites had to wait until January to land the attacking midfielder.
His loan spell at Chelsea was cut short to allow him to link up with Leeds, who were looking for flair in the final third.
Buonanotte managed just four appearances in Leeds colours, barely featuring in the club’s successful battle against relegation from the Premier League.
Leeds United flop set for loan move
He returned to Brighton at the end of last season and now appears set for another loan move, this time to the Spanish top flight.
Elche are said to have agreed a deal to take the Buonanotte on a regular loan deal with no buy option.
Posting on X, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano said: “Understand Elche have agreed deal in principle to sign Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton, here we go! Deal verbally done with BHAFC green light, understand it will be a straight loan with no buy option clause.”
Facundo Buonanotte at career crossroads
It remains to be seen wheter Buonanotte, who has been capped by the Argentina national team, will be able to get his career back on track with a productive stint in Spain.
The exclusion of a buy option would suggest Brighton still believe he could have a future with the Seagulls.
In May, when asked by Sussex World why it had gone wrong for Buonanotte in West Yorkshire, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said: "That's a good question, I'm not there, I'm not in his head, I'm not knowing exactly the processes that are going on of course.
“I'm trying to be in touch with our loan managers and trying to understand the situation from the individual players but it's always quite difficult to judge things from outside and to judge things from this end.”