Facundo Buonanotte appears increasingly likely to leave Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, with clubs from the Premier League, Spain, and Germany all showing interest after the Argentine endured a disappointing loan spell at Leeds United.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has found himself at a crossroads in his career following an underwhelming second half of last season. Buonanotte initially attracted interest from Leeds United during the previous summer transfer window, but the move failed to materialize as he instead completed a temporary switch to Chelsea. His opportunities in West London proved extremely limited, prompting Leeds to reignite their interest and secure him on loan during the winter transfer window.
Despite Leeds’ hopes that the creative midfielder could provide fresh attacking quality, Buonanotte struggled to break into the first team. He made only four appearances across all competitions as the Yorkshire club successfully fought to preserve their Premier League status, leaving little opportunity to showcase the talent that once made him one of South America’s brightest young prospects.
With his loan spell now over, Buonanotte has returned to Brighton, although his future on the south coast appears uncertain. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the Seagulls are prepared to sanction another move, with discussions already underway involving several interested clubs. German side Schalke 04 are understood to have submitted a formal approach, while multiple Premier League and La Liga clubs are also monitoring the Argentine’s situation as they explore a potential deal.
The growing interest reflects the belief that Buonanotte still possesses significant potential despite a difficult campaign. His successful loan spell at Leicester City during the 2024/25 season demonstrated his ability to influence matches consistently, suggesting that his struggles at Leeds were more reflective of circumstances than a lack of quality. Many clubs remain convinced that, in the right environment, the technically gifted playmaker can rediscover the form that prompted Brighton to invest in him.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler also acknowledged the challenges surrounding Buonanotte’s time away from the club. Speaking earlier this year, the German coach admitted it was difficult to fully understand why the loan move failed without being directly involved in the player’s day-to-day environment. Hurzeler explained that while Brighton maintained communication with their loan management staff throughout the season, accurately assessing a player’s situation from afar was never straightforward.
He emphasized that the club intended to conduct a thorough review after the campaign, analysing why the loan had not produced the desired outcome. Hurzeler stressed that Brighton’s responsibility extends beyond simply sending players out on loan, insisting the club must identify what each individual needs to improve, the type of environment where they can thrive, and the support required to help them perform at their highest level.
As Brighton prepare for the new campaign, Buonanotte’s future is expected to be resolved in the coming weeks. With interest continuing to build across Europe and several clubs actively pursuing a deal, another move now appears the most likely outcome as the Argentine seeks regular first-team football and an opportunity to revive his promising career.
