Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City line up moves to sign Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are all lining up moves to sign Leeds United forward Willy Gnonto this summer, according to Gazzetta.it.
The Italian youngster is believed to be expected to leave Elland Road at the end of the season if the Whites suffer relegation, with all three Premier League giants waiting to pounce.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport [21 March], Arsenal are one of three Premier League teams lining up a bid for Gnonto at the end of the season.
Man City and Chelsea are also credited with interest, as are a number of unnamed sides. Inter Milan are not believed to be one of the sides in the hunt for his signature despite their "greatest regret" at selling him to FC Zurich in the past.
Safety is paramount
This is the trouble clubs get when they have so many talented young stars and they are faced with a nerve-racking relegation battle towards the end of the campaign.
Big clubs will immediately swoop in to acquire them if they aren't careful, and that is the unfortunate fate about to be tasted by Leeds if they don't secure their Premier League status for next season.
It's not only Gnonto's future that's in serious jeopardy if the Whites drop down to the Championship. Robin Koch, Jack Harrison and Illan Meslier are all reportedly attracting big interest and will likely move if they don't secure their top-flight status.
Certainly, the Whites will be looking to acquire huge fees if the worst should happen but they'd arguably prefer to keep their most prized assets in the long run.
It's perfectly natural for the club and their fans to worry about such interest right now, but their board's focus must be ensuring the club are well prepared if the worst should happen or not.