It has been reported in recent weeks that Leeds United attacker Wifried Gnonto could be on his way out of Elland Road but a new update has casted a shadow of doubt on these rumours.
Gnonto initially handed in a transfer request during the summer after Leeds’ relegation down to the Championship, with the Italian being heavily linked with a move to Everton. The Toffees were said to have offered up to £25 million for Gnonto but the Yorkshire club were not keen to accept any bids.
Everton have reportedly refused to give up on their pursuit of the Italy international, but now face competition from bigger and better sides in the Premier League, including giants Arsenal who are looking to bolster their attacking department.
Gnonto’s game-time with the Peacocks has been limited since handing in a transfer request during the summer. The 20-year-old has made just 11 appearances in all competitions under Daniel Farke, scoring one goal and registering one assist.
Given his lack of minutes on the pitch, it seems likey that Gnonto will be heading out the exit door when the transfer window opens up, but journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that the forward could remain at the club on one condition.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said:
“I think that from Gnonto’s point of view, he would be the same as well [wanting to see what the future at Leeds holds].
“Leaving mid-season to a Premier League club, even though Everton, whom he was most strongly linked with, have made a very positive start to the season, you don’t know where you will be at the end of the campaign.
“You also don’t know where Leeds will be at the end of the season. Gnonto didn’t want to move to Everton because he hated it at Leeds. It was because he wanted to play in the Premier League.
“If you move mid-season, who knows whether you’ll be in the Premier League at the end of the season if you move to a top-flight club? And if you stay at Leeds, you might be in the Premier League for the following season because they might get promoted.
“There are almost too many variables, both for Leeds and Gnonto, to be making any rash decisions on his future in January.
“If it got to the end of the season, and he was playing, then there’ll be no debate that he will stay at Leeds if they get promoted. If they don’t get promoted, it’s a different story.”
Writer’s View
There seems to be some truth in Jacobs’ comments. Gnonto’s issue wasn’t Leeds United, he wanted to leave to play in the Premier League. Perhaps promotion back to the top-flight could convince him to stay.
Nevertheless, the player seems to have fallen out of favour under Farke so perhaps it would be in everyone’s best interests to cash in on him when a suitor matches Leeds’ valuation.
Deputy Head of Writing
