Chelsea Move On From Xavi Simons With Deal for Brighton Outcast Facundo Buonanotte Ahead of Leeds and Borussia Dortmund

From Simons to Buonanotte: A Swift Shift in Chelsea’s Transfer Strategy

The Stamford Bridge corridors have been buzzing with activity in the final week of the summer window, and once again, Chelsea have shown their ability to pivot quickly in the transfer market. After missing out on long-term target Xavi Simons, who is now on the verge of joining Tottenham, the Blues have turned their attention to a less expected name: Facundo Buonanotte, Brighton’s 19-year-old Argentine playmaker.

It’s a story that combines the urgency of a closing transfer window, the unpredictability of player decisions, and Chelsea’s relentless hunt for attacking reinforcements. According to The Athletic, Chelsea are closing in on a loan agreement with Brighton for Buonanotte — a move that has left both Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund frustrated.

What Happened With Xavi Simons?

Just a week ago, the Chelsea hierarchy believed they had positioned themselves well in the chase for RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons. The Dutch international has been one of Europe’s most coveted young midfielders, admired for his flair, versatility, and relentless work rate. But in a twist of fate that will sting Blues fans, Spurs swooped in and agreed terms with Leipzig.

The setback forced Chelsea to recalibrate. They had invested time and resources in courting Simons, yet as soon as it became clear the player had chosen north London, they switched targets. Enter Buonanotte.

buonanotte

Who Is Facundo Buonanotte?

For casual Premier League watchers, Buonanotte might not yet be a household name. But within scouting circles, his reputation is well known. Signed by Brighton from Rosario Central in 2023, he arrived with the pedigree of being one of Argentina’s most promising midfielders.

At just 19 years old, Buonanotte has already been capped twice for Argentina’s senior team, no small achievement given the depth of Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup-winning squad.

He is a natural attacking midfielder — left-footed, technically gifted, with the ability to glide past players and operate between the lines. In many ways, he is the archetype of the kind of creative talent Chelsea have been stockpiling in recent years.

Buonanotte’s Journey So Far

Buonanotte’s Premier League journey has been one of highs and frustrations. At Brighton, he has made 50 appearances in total, registering seven goal involvements. While those numbers may not jump off the page, context matters: Buonanotte was competing for minutes in a Brighton side stacked with midfield options under Roberto De Zerbi.

Last season, he was sent on loan to Leicester City, where he enjoyed more consistent playing time. His return — six goals and three assists in the Championship — showed flashes of his potential, even if inconsistency remained an issue.

Still, those performances were enough to attract interest not only from Leeds United, who had arranged a medical for him this week, but also from Borussia Dortmund, a club with a track record of nurturing young South American talent.

How Chelsea Hijacked the Deal

The transfer merry-go-round took a dramatic turn when Buonanotte refused to board a flight to Leeds for his scheduled medical. By that point, Chelsea had entered the fray, and the allure of Stamford Bridge, coupled with the opportunity to play European football, tipped the balance.

For Leeds, it was a bitter pill to swallow. For Dortmund, it was yet another reminder of Chelsea’s financial muscle. For Chelsea fans, however, it was classic deadline-week theatre: one deal collapses, another materialises almost instantly.

The Bigger Picture at Stamford Bridge

For Chelsea, the pursuit of Buonanotte is about more than just replacing Simons. It reflects a broader strategy under the new ownership, one that prioritises youth, potential, and long-term upside.

Consider their recent acquisitions: Enzo Fernández, Mykhailo Mudryk, Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka, and now potentially Buonanotte. The club is building a midfield that, on paper, could dominate for the next decade.

But this approach has its risks. As seen last season, cramming too many young talents into the same squad can lead to inconsistency, growing pains, and a lack of clear identity.

Did You Know?

• Buonanotte was part of Argentina’s U20 World Cup squad in 2023, where he was considered one of their standout prospects.

• His surname, which translates to “good night” in Italian, has already inspired countless headlines in Argentina’s sports press.

• At Rosario Central, he was nicknamed El Mago — “The Magician” — for his dribbling and creativity.

• Brighton beat several European clubs to his signature, paying around £9.5 million for him in January 2023.

What the Deal Means for Chelsea

If the loan is completed, Buonanotte will add depth to Chelsea’s midfield and attacking options. The key question is whether Brighton will agree to include a purchase option. As of now, reports suggest that detail is still being negotiated.

From Chelsea’s perspective, having Buonanotte on loan is relatively low-risk. If he thrives, they can pursue a permanent deal. If he struggles, they can send him back without the burden of a long-term contract.

This kind of deal also buys Chelsea time. With Christopher Nkunku heavily linked with a permanent move to AC Milan and Nicolas Jackson attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Chelsea are preparing for possible exits. Buonanotte represents both cover and upside.

Fan Reaction: Mixed But Curious

Unsurprisingly, Chelsea fans are split. On social media, some expressed disappointment at losing Simons to Spurs, while others see Buonanotte as an intriguing alternative.

One fan tweeted: “Simons to Spurs hurts, but Buonanotte is a baller. Brighton players always come good eventually.”

Another was less convinced: “Feels like a panic move. We went from Xavi Simons to a Brighton bench player? This club, man.”

The truth, as always, will lie somewhere in the middle. Buonanotte is not Simons, but he is also not a random gamble.

What Next for Chelsea?

Facundo Buonanotte Leicester City 2024-25

With the transfer window closing on Monday, Chelsea have little time to finalise the move. Negotiations with Brighton are advanced, and there is optimism that a deal can be completed in time.

For Buonanotte, the next few days could be life-changing. From being on the periphery at Brighton and nearly boarding a flight to Leeds, he could soon be stepping out at Stamford Bridge in front of 40,000 fans.

For Chelsea, it’s another example of their hyperactive transfer policy, one that has kept journalists, agents, and fans on edge for two years straight.

Final Word

Chelsea may have lost out on Xavi Simons, but in Facundo Buonanotte, they could still land a gem. The Argentine is raw, inconsistent, and far from the finished article — but he is also fearless, gifted, and eager to prove himself.

If the deal goes through, Buonanotte’s time at Chelsea will be watched with intense curiosity. Will he become another forgotten name in a bloated squad? Or will he seize the opportunity and carve out a role for himself in one of Europe’s biggest clubs?

Either way, this is the kind of deadline-day drama that reminds us why football’s transfer market is as much about stories as it is about signings.