49ers Enterprises can begin ‘aggressive’ transfer assault at Leeds United as Wilfried Gnonto £18m+ exit development emerges
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto is close to sealing his Elland Road exit to Everton this summer, in a deal worth around £18.8m and the 49ers can now begin their “aggressive” transfer business this summer.
The 19-year-old has been one of the key names in West Yorkshire wanted by a number of sides this summer and it looks as if Everton are winning the race for the Italian’s signature, with Sportitella journalist Michele Criscitiello (10 July) claiming that the Toffees have an agreement with Leeds United worth around €22million (£18.8m).
And according to Sportitella (10 July), taking to their personal Twitter account, Gnonto will now be wearing new colours for next season, with Aston Villa still remaining in the background.
They tweeted: “According to what has been learned exclusively from Sportitalia, Gnonto will close his adventure at Leeds to play again in Premier League.
“The Italian full-back is in fact close to wearing the Everton shirt.
“Aston Villa remains in the background but now seems to be in the background.”
It was always inevitable the Whites were going to lose Gnonto given their Championship plight right now, and more big names at Elland Road may be walking out the Thorp Arch exit door, with the likes of Rodrigo, Tyler Adams, Illan Meslier, Patrick Bamford, Crycensio Summerville all expected to be in new shirt colours too next season.
It is imperative Leeds United negotiate the best prices they can for each player to fund their assault on the transfer market to revamp a squad ready for Daniel Farke’s use after his appointment at the helm.
According to Leeds Live (8 July), New Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises have laid out an “aggressive” budget ahead of the new Championship season with the squad needing plenty of attention, handing the Elland Road faithful all the inclinations that the Whites will be intentional and purposeful in the market which they desperately need to be.
49ers are set to spend big this summer, despite the delay in the announcement of their full takeover, with a transfer budget labelled as the kind of money that will make the team very competitive in the Championship, at least on paper, as Leeds United look to bounce straight back up to the Premier League.
And the West Yorkshire outfit have already received a sizeable profit giving them a great head start.
Gnonto is a huge loss for the club and certainly, some fans will have loved to see him stay and continue his rapid development in the Championship, but his desire to remain in the England top-flight is understandable as his talents warrant such a stage next season.
Leeds United’s loss is very much Everton’s gain though, but given their plight right now, £18.8m for his services is actually an impressive considerable profit from the bargain price they spent on his services last summer.
Incredible business from the Elland Road hierarchy, no matter how much it hurts to lose such a gifted talent after just a year and now that cash can be spent on some superb transfer opportunities with the likes of Coventry City’s Gustavo Hamer and Liverpool defender Nat Phillips both linked with moves to join Farke’s team.
And both players represent marquee acquisitions which the 49ers must swiftly pursue if they are readying an aggressive assault on the transfer market.
In other Leeds United news, one Elland Road star has been offered a shot at redemption by new boss Daniel Farke ahead of their pre-season fixture against Manchester United.