£20m Leeds flop to impact Daniel Farke’s summer transfer plans

With Leeds United almost guaranteed to stay in the Premier League, the focus is already shifting towards the summer transfer window.

There have been clear warnings about avoiding complacency, with many highlighting that the second season tends to be tougher and will demand significant investment.

Plans are already underway to strengthen key areas of the squad, and the club has started identifying and working on potential targets before the campaign has even finished.

However, one move in the January transfer window is set to impact their summer plans following the failure of Facundo Buonanotte at Elland Road this season.

Facundo Buonanotte will impact Leeds United’s summer plans

Leeds signed Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton in the winter transfer window, and were hopeful of a successful stint at Elland Road.

There were even conversations that Leeds were already plotting to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer, with Brighton likely to accept a deal worth £20m.

However, the Argentinian attacking midfielder has been nothing more than a disappointment and has even struggled to make the matchday squads consistently.

Buonanotte didn’t even make the bench in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and has struggled to impress Daniel Farke since he arrived at Elland Road.

Leeds hoped he would emerge as a long-term option in the attacking midfield role, which would lead to a permanent transfer in the summer.

However, Buonanotte is almost certain to return to Brighton with his career at a crossroads.

But that does not mean Leeds do not need a player of his profile, and his failure will push Leeds to look for another creative midfield man in the upcoming transfer window.

Leeds will have to buy an attacking midfielder

If Buonanotte had worked out, Leeds would have probably negotiated a permanent transfer with Brighton. However, that option is unlikely to be discussed.

However, Leeds still need an attacking midfielder in the summer as Farke wants more creativity in his squad, and the club are in the hunt for such a player.

Sheffield United Gus Hamer has been linked with a move to Leeds, and Chris Wilder has indicated that the Dutchman is likely on his way out of Bramall Lane.

He would likely cost less than Buonanotte, given his contract situation and Sheffield United’s need for an overhaul of their squad in the summer.

However, Buoanotte would have been Leeds’ preferred option had he worked out, given that the club had been chasing him since last year.