Leeds United boss Daniel Farke on transfer vacancy after Facundo Buonanotte talks lead to second chance — YEP 15/1/26
By Graham Smyth
The Leeds United boss is expected to welcome a loan signing
through the door soon.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke's thoughts on a squad vacancy
have not changed despite the team's upturn in fortunes, as they close in on a
deal for Facundo Buonanotte.
Leeds are close to completing a loan move for Buonanotte,
who was a summer target and very nearly joined the club in the previous
transfer window. A flight was booked for the Argentine attacker in order to
sign on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, before Chelsea hijacked the move
with an offer that boasted Champions League football. But four and a half
months on the 21-year-old has played 45 minutes of Premier League football and
made two starts in Europe.
Leeds began to discuss the possibility of revisiting the
loan in late December and the YEP understands the first conversation dealt with
what happened in the summer, with Whites recruitment chiefs happy to put it
behind them and forge on towards a second opportunity. Club sources say
Buonanotte was pushing to leave Chelsea and join Leeds for the second half of
the season, which gave them confidence they could get it done at the second
attempt. They believe Buonanotte will strengthen the squad in the area that
remained lightest after the summer round of recruitment, with his ability to
play on the right in a front three or centrally as a number 10. He is also a
set-piece specialist.
Farke was tight-lipped on the move, preferring not to
address the situation until business is complete. "No because speculations
and rumours I never speak about this for outgoings and incomings," he
said. "I can tell you our thoughts and we're looking if there's a
possibility to strengthen in January but you can just speak about things when
it's all official and signed. I can't confirm anything apart from what we
messaged yesterday, the loan of Harry Gray.
"We spoke quite open and honest in the summer about
what we wanted to do and we wanted to do a bit more in the offence, creative
number 10, winger position. In the last days we missed out on this. I've said
several times we've developed really well as a group and we're on a good path
at Premier League level to achieve our goals. We have a good capable group.
We'll just do something if we think the player improves our squad and is a top
character. We won't risk anything to risk our togetherness."
Daniel Farke on Leeds United transfer ambitions
The German believes his squad is in good shape regardless of
January additions, but admits that the right player will tempt them into
transfer activity.
"The January market is always difficult, there are
limited options, players are a bit overpriced or unavailable," he said.
"If we find a player we think character wise and from his quality he can
help our group we're open to do this. There are no major injuries that we have
to do something in a special position. Not too much has changed in comparison
to the summer."
Though Leeds have had a formation change recently and scored
plenty of goals, Farke still sees the need for a player of Buonanotte's profile
in his squad.
"There is no need to be afraid of quality
players," he said. "Each and every player who has top quality and top
character who could help us is important. We are a bit thin in terms of
creative offensive players, this winger number 10 position we spoke about for a
while. We have changed the set-up a bit but I would label it as a rumour that
we've only played as a 3-5-2 recently, we've more often played 4-3-3. You need
players who can make things happen, with a creative pass, who can bring end
products. We've played with more naturally defensive players there - Anton
Stach has played the role excellently away at Newcastle but if you find a
specialist that we don't have, to bring to the squad it's beneficial. It's not
like a new signing is guaranteed a starting place straight away. It would just
be good for the competition."
