On November 2nd, Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed they had reached an agreement with Rosario Central for the transfer of Facundo Buonanotte.
The attacking midfielder will turn 18-years-of-age later this month and will then arrive at The Amex in January.
Prior to Brighton agreeing a deal with the Argentina club for the teenager’s transfer, a few Serie A sides tried signing him. That’s according to South American football expert and market intermediary, Sabatino Durante.
He made this claim to 1 Station Radio, relayed by Area Napoli. Durante claims that Carlos Tevez had a role in stopping the Italian clubs from signing Buonanotte.
“Facundo Buonanotte, born in 2004 in Argentina, a youngster from Rosario Central, was bought by Brighton,” he said.
“This footballer should have landed in Italy, to then go on loan to Mantova: he is truly a crack. Tevez blocked the transfer and then he was recently sold to the Premier League.”
Rosario Central appointed the ex-Manchester City star as their new coach in June and he stepped down from the position last month.
Durante has pointed out regulations that are in place in Italy have favoured Brighton to get ahead of Serie A clubs to conclude a deal for Buonanotte.
“Innovative rules are needed. There is a lot of talk about foreigners present in Italy, we have the strictest rules, but in England they have relaxed the rules,” Durante added.
“There are three Ecuadorians at Brighton, there they have opened themselves to quality.
“You see Napoli, currently the best team in Italy, have a large budget, but very little is invested in the youth sector.
“Abroad, there is a certain sum that must necessarily be invested in the youth sector, in Germany you can obtain a card valid for coaching in all categories. We need new rules, just imitate the other countries, now we are immovable.”
