Leeds United ended the summer window without a ”major” signing. The club promised the fans after winning the Championship that enough resources would be made available for transfers.
Leeds spent just under £100million in the summer window, with just £18million being invested in attacking players. Noah Okafor was signed from AC Milan, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha joined on free transfers.
The most frustrating part of the transfer window was how Leeds failed to land any major targets. Igor Paixao chose a move to France, Rodrigo Muniz stayed at Fulham and Bilal El Khannouss move to Germany. One of the most baffling rejections came from Brighton star Facundo Buonanotte. After a long round of talks with the Seagulls, a deal was agreed in principle and a plane flight was booked. On the day the deal was supposed to be completed, the Argentine pulled out and opted for a move to Chelsea.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Leeds United goalkeepers?
Chelsea star added to Champions League squad
Credit: Imago
Just days after being announced by the London club, he said in an interview that it was a dream to play in the Champions League. Unfortunately for him, Chelsea left him out of the final list.
Facundo Buonanotte is included in Chelsea’s #UCL squad replacing the injured Dario Essugo. New UEFA rules allow for the replacement of a long-term injury.🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/1H9lWNvN8D
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 16, 2025
Ben Jacobs is now reporting on Tuesday that the Blues have added the midfielder to the list after Dario Essugo pulled out due to injury. Buonanotte is now available to play in the group phase of the competition.
Buonanotte is not having a great start after Leeds United snub
Many questioned the player’s decision to turn down Leeds to join the London club, but it is now obvious that the Champions League played a factor. Regardless, the player has had a shocking start to the season. He was hooked off after just 45 minutes in his full debut against Brentford.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has already hinted that the Argentine will be a squad player. Buonanotte did not do his chances of playing time any favours with his outing against Brentford.
