Leeds United could raise £40m for Wilfried Gnonto sale at Elland Road
Leeds United could sell Wilfried Gnonto for as much as £40million and match Georginio Rutter’s transfer fee moving to Brighton, Paul Robinson has said.
Rutter moved to the Premier League side in a big-money move [BBC Sport], with the Seagulls triggering the player’s release clause, while Crysencio Summerville moved to West Ham for around £25m.
Gnonto, however, remained at Elland Road despite plenty of speculation surrounding his potential exit, with Leeds announcing a new contract for the 20-year-old shortly after the transfer window closed [Official website].
It is understood that, as part of the new deal that sees the Italian tied to the club until 2028, there is no release clause included [Graham Smyth].
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “I’m not so sure the release clause was that important in Gnonto’s contract. The prices that Leeds got for Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville. He’s maybe not in that bracket, but just below it.
“A release clause wouldn’t have been beneficial because if a team want him, and he’s performing to a level, you can see the level that Leeds are willing to sell at and that won’t put teams off.
“From the player’s point of view, if he’s playing to the level expected of him his transfer value won’t really change because the benchmark has been set by Rutter and Summerville. That is what Leeds would accept if they were to ever sell.”
Wilfried Gnonto set for price tag boost at Leeds United
With Summerville and Rutter leaving this summer, Gnonto, who Junior Firpo dubbed as “unbelievable” [Leeds Live], has already stepped up in a huge way for Daniel Farke and the Whites.
Despite being just 20 years of age, the Italian continues to push his team forward as Leeds look to secure promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
As Farke’s main attacking threat now, he could be set for an incredible boost in transfer fee, especially if the Whites can secure promotion out of the Championship, led by the young winger.
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