Leeds United officially confirmed the signing of Argentine playmaker Facundo Buonanotte as their first arrival of the January transfer window earlier this week.
He ended his loan spell with Chelsea to sign for the Whites on loan from Brighton until the end of the season, bolstering Daniel Farke’s creative options in the final third.
The versatile star, who can play on the wing or as a midfielder, scored five goals and created seven ‘big chances’ in 31 appearances in the Premier League on loan at Leicester City in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore.
Buonanotte did not get much game time during his time with Chelsea, playing just eight times, but he did score one goal and provide two assists for the Blues in his short time at Stamford Bridge.
It will be interesting to see where Farke decides to utilise the Argentine talent, as he could play as one of the three central midfielders in a 3-5-2, as the central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, or as a winger in a 4-3-3.
Leeds make contact to sign Premier League striker
Wherever Buonanotte is used, though, he will provide a creative spark in the final third for the Whites, and they are now looking at a player who could benefit from his creativity.
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According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Leeds United have held talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers to enquire about a possible deal for Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The reporter claims that the Championship champions have expressed their interest in signing the Norway international to bolster their squad during the January transfer window.
However, Ornstein adds that there is no guarantee that Leeds will follow up on these initial talks with an official offer for the former Celta Vigo forward, as they have to be wary of PSR constrictions.
It is now down to the 49ers to decide to make an approach to sign the Wolves number nine, who is reportedly valued at around £40m by the Premier League strugglers.
Why Strand Larsen would be perfect for Buonanotte
As aforementioned, Buonanotte has been signed to provide more creativity in the final third for the Whites, based on his form for Chelsea and Leicester in the past 18 months.
Since the start of last season, per Sofascore, the left-footed youngster has created 12 ‘big chances’ in 43 appearances, but has only been rewarded with five assists.
Strand Larsen, who was described as a “monster” by analyst Connor Holden, has not been at his best in the Premier League this season, with just one goal to his name, but he could be perfect for Buonanotte if Farke can get him firing again.
The Norwegian star, who scored a hat-trick against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup last weekend, has clearly struggled in a team that is currently bottom of the table and not creating many chances.
Strand Larsen (Premier League)
24/25
25/26
Appearances
35
19
xG
10.27
2.83
Goals
14
1
Minutes per goal
186
1,315
Big chances created
6
1
Assists
4
1
Stats via Sofascore
However, as you can see in the table above, Strand Larsen was a different animal when he was in a Wolves team that was safe in midtable and creating plenty of chances for him. He even outperformed his xG by almost four goals.
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His return of 13 goals in 37 games in LaLiga in the 2023/24 campaign for Celta Vigo also suggests that his current form is a blip, rather than last season being a flash in the pan, as he has two seasons of impressive goalscoring under his belt in Europe’s major leagues.
His form for Celta Vigo and Wolves in the last two full seasons suggests that he has the potential to be a prolific goalscorer for Leeds if they can get him back to his best, which could make him a dream attacking partner for a creative midfielder like Buonanotte.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin went from three Premier League goals last season for Everton to nine already this term for Leeds, which shows that Farke can help a striker to rediscover their touch in front of goal, and that bodes well for any potential deal for Strand Larsen.
Leeds now leading the race to sign another attacking star after Buonanotte
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It is now down to the board to work out whether or not a deal for the Wolves striker is viable before the end of the transfer window, as they look for ways to bolster the squad.