Credit: Breaking Media/Manh Tung

Jacob Raw

Mon 1 June 2026 8:10, UK

Leeds United will need to abide by the new Squad Cost Ratio rules starting next season, and Wilfried Gnonto‘s expected exit could be the first boost on the 49ers’ books.

For years, Paraag Marathe and Co. have had to battle financial constraints at Elland Road, and that will be no different this summer.

Marathe penned an end-of-season thank-you letter to Whites fans recently, but admitted that it will take another two seasons until the club can operate as they wish to in the transfer market as a Premier League side.

SCR rules will be a change for everyone in the league, and something that will benefit those clubs who earn big money in terms of revenue, but there are still restrictions that cannot be overstepped.

Gnonto has been linked with a move to Freiburg, and the value from his sale could see Leeds take home a seven-figure profit on their accounting books under the new SCR rules.

Wilfried Gnonto’s potential exit examined in financial terms

Gnonto’s Transfermarkt value is £15.6million, as a permanent sale is on the cards, as well as a loan-to-buy exit with Freiburg the lead contender for his signature right now.

The Whites signed the Italian for a reported fee of around £3.5m in September 2022, with add-ons that could have taken his purchase to £5m overall.

Assuming Leeds have had to pay all the add-ons to FC Zurich for Gnonto, the Whites will have had to amortise his £5m fee by dividing his contract length, as the residual value will have been re-spread when he signed a new deal in 2024.

This means the Whites will have most likely amortised roughly £700,000 to £800k per season on their own accounting books for Gnonto’s transfer, which would see them have his fee fully paid off by the end of his deal in 2028.

If he were sold for £15.6m this summer, the Whites would still have around £1.5m on the books, which would leave an estimated accounting profit of £14.1m.

In simpler terms, it would be around £10.4m net transfer cash inflow if he were sold for £15.6m, as well as the 49ers not having his wages to pay anymore, which aids their SCR goals.

This is based on an estimated market value, but even if you tone this down and say Leeds should have a minimum price tag of £10m on Gnonto, this would incur at least a seven-figure profit boost for cash inflow and SCR accounting.

Freiburg have been in talks with Gnonto, and he could be one of the first sold this summer.

Gnonto’s Elland Road message was too clear

Gnonto left Leeds fans worried when he took to his Instagram and thanked Elland Road in a poignant post that suggested he is going to leave.

Daniel Farke didn’t give the winger many chances towards the end of the season, and it’s clear to see why the player himself may want to depart.

It will sadden Whites fans as they know how high the 22-year-old’s ceiling is, but he needs to play regular football at this stage of his career.

There will be a few sad exits in LS11 this summer, and Gnonto looks highly likely to be one of them.