CHELSEA are closing in on a shock transfer to land yet another Brighton star – 24 hours after he had a flight booked to go to Leeds.
The Blues have raided the Amex in recent years, splashing out £275million to nab 14 players and staff members.
And now they want No15 – in the shape of Facundo Buonanotte .
Chelsea are leading the race to take the Argentine playmaker on loan for the season.
Borussia Dortmund also want Buonanotte, who is being tracked by a number of clubs.
SunSport understands Brighton would prefer their youngster to go out on loan and not leave the south coast permanently.
They also hope he can stay in the Premier League.
Leeds thought they were close to wrapping up a deal with a flight to Yorkshire and a medical booked for Thursday.
However, the move collapsed – allowing Chelsea to pounce after missing out on Xavi Simons who is on the verge of signing for Tottenham .
Fabrizio Romano adds an initial loan deal has been agreed and the player has accepted the proposal.
Buonanotte spent last season on loan at Leicester and was a rare bright spark for the Foxes during their relegation campaign.
He racked up five goals and two assists but could not prevent the King Power club returning to the Championship.
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The two-cap senior international is yet to feature for Fabian Hurzeler this season.
Buonanotte – who scored for Brighton at Stamford Bridge in 2023 – could provide cover for Cole Palmer .
Enzo Maresca’s talisman is struggling with the groin injury he picked up before the win over West Ham.
And the addition of Buonanotte to strengthen in that attacking role would mean Palmer’s return is less rushed.
It would also mean more business done between Chelsea and Brighton .
Todd Boehly’s regime in 2022 started with youngsters Zak Sturge and Shumaira Mheuka.
Staff members including Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Paul Winstanley swapped the Amex for Stamford Bridge.
But there have also been some seriously mammoth transfers with Marc Cucurella (£62m), Moises Caicedo (£115m), Robert Sanchez (£25m) and now Joao Pedro (£60m) all making big-money moves.
Chelsea's transfer deals
IN
- Joao Pedro – from Brighton – £60m
- Jamie Gittens – from Dortmund – £52m
- Jorell Hato – from Ajax – £37m
- Liam Delap – from Ipswich – £30m
- Estevao – from Palmeiras – £54m
- Dario Essugo – from Sporting Lisbon – £18.5m
- Kendry Paez – from Independiente – £17.25m
- Mamadou Sarr – from Strasbourg – £12m
TOTAL – £280.75m
OUT
- Noni Madueke – to Arsenal – £52m
- Joao Felix – to Al-Nassr – £43.7m
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – to Everton – £30m
- Renato Veiga – to Villarreal – £26m
- Djordje Petrovic – to Bournemouth – £25m
- Lesley Ugochukwu – to Burnley – £23m
- Carney Chukwuemeka – to Dortmund £24m
- Armando Broja – to Burnley – £15m
- Bashir Humphreys – to Burnley – £10m
- Mathis Amougou – to Strasbourg – £12.5m
- Kepa Arrizabalaga – to Arsenal – £5m
- Marcus Bettinelli – to Man City – £2m
TOTAL – £268.2m
