Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler says it is “possible” there will be further attacking loan departures in the January transfer window.
It follows the successful loan of Argentinian attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte, who joined Premier League rivals Leicester City in the summer.
Hurzeler, speaking at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s visit to Leicester, would not be drawn on how many players could leave temporarily in the winter window.
“We will see,” he said. “It’s still a long time until January and I always try to really focus on the present, not talk too much about the future, because in football things can change in one day, in one week, in one game. My feeling is always what can we do today to be prepared for tomorrow. I am not focusing on January at the moment.”
Game time has been limited so far this season for Republic of Ireland international Evan Ferguson and Paraguay international forward Julio Enciso, who are both 20-years-old.
Buonanotte is unavailable for Sunday’s clash between the clubs under the terms of his loan move. The 19-year-old has impressed for Leicester in the No 10 role with four goals and two assists in 12 Premier League appearances.
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Buonanotte has been speculatively linked with interest from other clubs, but Hurzeler believes he has a big part to play for Brighton over the course of his contract, which runs until June 2028.
“I am sure that he will have a future here when he continues this development he’s started,” Hurzeler said. “It’s so important for young players to play, to get the game time they need to develop. That’s why we are happy he made this decision together with us. Leicester have given him the game time he needs.
“That’s exactly the idea of the loan. If he continues this development he will have a bright future here at Brighton, then it is up to us to try to continue the development when he is back here with the club.”
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