Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto garnered late interest on transfer deadline day from Bundesliga outfit Freiburg but a deal never materialised, according to Bild.
Gnonto was keen to achieve a move away from Elland Road throughout the transfer window and came close to earning a switch to Goodison Park but head coach Daniel Farke was reluctant to lose the Italy international.
Bild are reporting that Freiburg considered Gnonto to be a ‘dream player’ and one that would massively improve their attacking ranks but opted against making a move for the player for fear of setting a precedent.
The German side felt as though signing a player for such an excessive fee would lead other clubs to demand similar prices when Freiburg came calling in future transfer windows and so the team’s interest faded pretty rapidly.
Everton were also reportedly tempted to make a late move to sign Gnonto once more on deadline day, as per journalist Dean Jones.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said [quotes via Football FanCast]:
“Leeds are reluctant to cave in over Gnonto, and the player is having to realise it is getting late for something to happen.
“It’s been mentally exhausting for him trying to figure out how this all pans out, and that continued into today because Everton had this temptation to try again.”
With the transfer window now closed, the 19-year-old will remain with the Yorkshire club until January at the earliest which will come as a relief to Farke.
Writer’s View
Gnonto would have perfectly suited the physicality and speed of German football and would have been playing in the UEFA Europa League with Freiburg this season had a move came to fruition on deadline day.
However, the Italian could be a big player for the Peacocks this season and so the club will be very happy to still have him in the squad going forward.
