Leeds United have reached the 40-point mark and could all but secure their Premier League status with a win over Burnley at Elland Road on Friday night.
With survival now looking increasingly likely, Leeds have already begun stepping up their plans for the summer transfer window.
The club are targeting reinforcements across midfield, attack and defence, but bringing in a new first-choice goalkeeper is also expected to be one of their top priorities.
However, Leeds also have to make a few decisions on the future of certain players, and it seems certain now that Facundo Buonanotte won’t be returning to Elland Road in the summer.
‘Facundo Buonanotte has not worked out’ – Leeds United legend
Leeds signed Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton in the winter transfer window. However, he has hardly played in recent weeks.
It is clear that Daniel Farke does not rate him, and he was not even in the squad against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Brighton would be interested in selling him, and are said to be ready to accept an offer worth £20m. However, it is clear Leeds are unlikely to pay any money for him.
Leeds legend Dominic Matteo has insisted that while the winger is a quality footballer, he has proven to be a lightweight footballer since his arrival.
He conceded that it just hasn’t happened for the winger and is unlikely to happen for him at Elland Road for the rest of the season.
“He’s not really had the game time. He’s obviously a quality, talented footballer, but I haven’t seen enough of him. Is he a little bit lightweight? Maybe,” Matteo told TEAMtalk.
“But that’s getting used to playing in the Premier League, which is a lot tougher. But from what I’ve seen so far, I’m not sure.
“I thought it was a decent signing in January, because he’s got some quality and can get on the ball, but it’s just not happened that way yet and doesn’t look like it will.”
He is done at Elland Road
Back in January, there was strong speculation that Leeds United could try to turn the winger’s loan into a permanent deal.
Brighton & Hove Albion are thought to be asking for around £20m to sell Facundo Buonanotte this summer, but at the moment, that move doesn’t look especially likely.
Leeds may have money to spend if they secure their Premier League status, yet it’s hard to see them committing that kind of fee for Buonanotte when the window opens.
Since joining, he’s struggled to make regular matchday squads, which suggests Farke hasn’t been fully convinced by what he’s seen from the Argentine on the training ground.
As things stand, it feels far more likely that Buonanotte will return to Brighton once his loan spell at Elland Road comes to an end this summer.
