Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United battle it out for Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte
Tottenham’s search for creative reinforcements in the wake of James Maddison’s injury has taken another turn, with Brighton youngster Facundo Buonanotte emerging as a potential late-window option. According to Sebastien Vidal via X, the 20-year-old Argentine, who spent last season on loan at Leicester City, is attracting interest from both Spurs and West Ham United, according to reports in South America.
Buonanotte’s spell at Leicester was a mixed bag. He started brightly under Steve Cooper, but when Ruud van Nistelrooy took over, his minutes dried up before returning towards the end of the campaign as the Foxes fought to avoid relegation. Despite the inconsistency, his flashes of talent have caught the eye and Brighton could now be ready to cash in if the right offer arrives.
Why He’s on Spurs’ Radar
Thomas Frank remains determined to land Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, but with Arsenal sniffing around and the deal far from guaranteed, Tottenham are sensibly exploring other creative midfield options. Buonanotte isn’t a marquee signing in the mould of Eze, but he could serve as a short-term solution if high-profile moves stall.
His ability to play centrally or drift into wide positions offers tactical flexibility, and a loan deal could make sense financially, allowing Spurs to keep funds available for bigger long-term targets.
Not the first choice – But not a bad option
Make no mistake: Buonanotte would be a stop-gap rather than a headline arrival. At just 20, he still has a lot to prove at Premier League level and isn’t yet the kind of player to transform Tottenham’s attack overnight. But with Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both sidelined, Frank needs options who can slot in and keep the side ticking creatively.
A loan move, similar to his Leicester stint, would minimise risk while giving the youngster a platform to impress in a side pushing for a top-four finish. And if Buonanotte thrives in North London, Spurs would have first-hand evidence to decide on a permanent move down the line.
For now, Eze remains the top priority. But as the window ticks towards its final days, having a player like Buonanotte in the back pocket could prove smart business, especially if Tottenham want to avoid being left short in one of the most important areas of the pitch.