Leeds United: Don Goodman makes new Wilfried Gnonto transfer prediction at Elland Road
Wilfried Gnonto will likely attract fresh Premier League interest in the summer transfer window should Leeds United not get promoted, according to Don Goodman.
The Italy international has been linked with Everton and West Ham – as well as other teams across the continent – since Leeds dropped into the Championship.
Everton are reported to have had multiple bids rejected for Gnonto last summer, the last of which was in the region of £25.7million [BBC Sport journalist Shamoon Hafez].
Gnonto initially struggled to make much of an impact for Leeds this season, but he has since grown into a key player for Daniel Farke and is showing his Premier League quality again.
Asked if the 20-year-old is now likely to stay at Elland Road beyond this season, Goodman told MOT Leeds News: “It depends on many things. He’s now starting games after being patient and is now producing.
“We knew he was capable of this, although I do think the fiasco of last summer has affected him. He came in for a lot of criticism, which is not easy as a 19-year-old and you’re not thick-skinned, and I don’t think he has the thickest of skin.
“It was bound to have an impact on him, but he’s still contributed. He’s now got the shirt and it’s up to him to keep producing and stay in the team. Given the quality Leeds United can pick from, that is never an easy thing.
“But it certainly keeps you honest and on your toes. In terms of the summer window, well that depends on his form – how many goals does he score and assist between now and then?”
Premier League clubs potentially circling Leeds United star
Goodman added: “How much of an impact does he have for Leeds United? If that’s good, he’ll be a Premier League player anyway given the way Leeds are going. So his future comes down to a lot of factors.
“If Leeds stay in the Championship and Gnonto continues his form between now and the end of the season, I’m sure once again he’ll be sought after, and people will forgive his naivety for going on strike last summer.
“If it all goes super well and he helps Leeds United to the Premier League, he may well want to stay anyway.”
Daniel James absence a blessing for Gnonto
To put Gnonto’s form into some context, the Italian scored and assisted a combined two goals in his first 26 appearances of the campaign for Leeds.
Since then, he has scored four and assisted another in four appearances, coinciding with the injury absence of Daniel James out wide on the right.
Gnonto’s display in the 4-0 win at Swansea City on Tuesday (13 February) was one of his best in a Leeds shirt as he bagged a couple of goals and also set up Joel Piroe.
There was recently talk of the former FC Zurich player signing a new deal at Elland Road, but that development seems to have gone quiet of late.
A new deal would give Leeds far more bargaining power if any interest is shown from elsewhere in the summer, but it remains to be seen whether any clubs will make an approach.
As Goodman says, there are a lot of factors between now and the summer that will determine that.
If he continues to show even half the form he has over the past few weeks, there is no doubt bids will again be incoming.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has put himself in Don Revie’s league to completely silence the previous sack calls.
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