Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto could be leaving Elland Road this January with reported interest from Everton, Roma and Lazio according to TeamTalk.
The Italian was said to have reached an agreement for personal terms with the Merseyside team but the two clubs were unable to make a deal happen.
The Whites were determined to keep hold of Gnonto in the summer, with several clubs interested in his signature. Despite the winger refusing to play for the club during the period of uncertainty and Daniel Farke removing the player from first-team training, it appeared the youngster was convinced to stay in Yorkshire until at least the January transfer window.
As per TeamTalk, sources close to the player still believe that a deal can happen in January with the Toffees’ interest remaining piqued despite a move not materialising.
The Premier League club will have to fend off suitors from Italy too, with Jose Mourinho’s Roma and their local rivals Lazio showing interest in the 19-year-old.
Whilst the £25 million fee for Gnonto seems unlikely to be met this January by these clubs, should Leeds fail to achieve promotion to the Premier League, a summer deal for the Inter Milan academy graduate may be on the cards.
Gnonto has failed to stake a claim in Daniel Farke’s side this season as the German coach has prioritised the high-flying trio of Daniel James, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
The young, Italian attacker has managed eight appearances this season, providing just one goal and one assist. He has failed to play a full 90 minutes since he suffered an ankle injury earlier in the season.
Leeds United are currently occupying third in the Championship after 14 matches, nine points behind Ipswich Town and 14 behind league-leaders Leicester City.
Writers View
Whilst losing a key player in January is not ideal for any club, Leeds are fairly well set-up to deal with losing Gnonto with, Jaidon Anthony and Ian Poveda on the bench for the Whites. A £25 million fee for the youngster who has failed to find his form of old would be a good deal for the Peacocks who signed Gnonto for just £4 million from FC Zurich in 2022.
After his pre-season antics, many Whites fans would be accepting of seeing the back of Gnonto as long as the money was spent accordingly.
Sam writes for The Real EFL, covering all EFL tiers while pursuing a Sports Journalism degree at the University of South Wales.
