Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are pushing to sign Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, with a £40m price tag set.
Bayer Leverkusen are stepping up their interest in Brighton & Hove Albion star Facundo Buonanotte as they look for a creative right-sided attacker to replace Florian Wirtz, who joined Liverpool earlier this summer.
According to Kicker, Buonanotte is seen as a viable alternative to Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, whose €50m-plus valuation has stalled talks. The Argentine’s profile fits perfectly with Bayer’s need for a dribbling, playmaking threat who can deliver immediately.
Buonanotte’s Appeal to Leverkusen
Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has made it clear the club won’t break their financial limits, making Buonanotte’s £40m (€45m) valuation from Brighton far more attainable than Akliouche’s.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler does not expect the 20-year-old to get regular minutes this season and is open to either a sale or loan. Buonanotte’s stock rose during his loan at Leicester City last term, where he made 31 Premier League appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists.
“Unlike Akliouche, Buonanotte appears more accessible right now — and that speed of execution could be decisive.” — Kicker
Facundo Buonanotte – 2024/25 Stats (Leicester City, on loan)
| Stat (2024/25) | Facundo Buonanotte |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 31 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Pass Accuracy | –% |
Summary: The Argentine impressed with 7 goal contributions in 31 Premier League matches for Leicester. His technical ability and versatility make him an ideal fit for Leverkusen’s attacking structure.
Analyst Verdict
Buonanotte’s close control, acceleration, and ability to break lines with dribbles make him an obvious candidate to step into Wirtz’s shoes. While Akliouche may be Bayer’s “dream” signing, Buonanotte offers Bundesliga-ready quality at a more sustainable cost.
For Brighton, cashing in at £40m would fund multiple reinforcements for Hurzeler’s project, but the sale would also mean losing a player perfectly suited to his tactical approach.
Key Insights
- Leverkusen seeking Wirtz replacement after Liverpool move.
- Buonanotte available for around £40m (€45m).
- Brighton open to sale or loan due to limited game time forecast.
- Akliouche still the dream target, but too expensive.
What’s Next
Leverkusen are expected to accelerate negotiations with Brighton in the coming days as the window nears its end. If an agreement is struck quickly, Buonanotte could join before their Bundesliga opener, giving Xabi Alonso a ready-made creative outlet on the right.
Should Brighton cash in on Buonanotte now — or keep him as part of Hurzeler’s long-term project?
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