49ers Enterprises can usher in new era at Leeds United with move for Amad Diallo as transfer news emerges
Leeds United want to sign Manchester United winger Amad Diallo to replace exit-bound Wilfried Gnonto this summer, giving the 49ers the perfect tonic to kick off their Elland Road rebuild.
Gnonto has been linked with a move away from Elland Road just a year after signing from FC Zurich, with Everton in ongoing talks for a summer move for the Italian wizard and his teammate Jack Harrison [Football Transfers, 18 June].
However, it seems as if Leeds have identified a probable target in Old Trafford gem Diallo who enjoyed a sensational campaign for Sunderland in the Championship last term, scoring 14 goals and registering three assists from 39 games.
According to The Mirror [24 June], the Whites are eyeing a loan move for the Ivory Coast international as a potential replacement for Gnonto.
And Leeds United have potentially been given plenty of encouragement to firm up their attempts to sign him this summer with the former Atalanta attacker looking most likely to leave Old Trafford on a loan deal, according to the Sunday People [26 June, Page 56].
Leeds have come under plenty of criticism in recent times for their transfer market exploits, including signing some duds and not signing quality players when the opportunity presented itself.
The use of Gnonto in the second half of the season was bizarre to say the least, as he was arguably the best attacker at the club for the most part before randomly getting dropped despite the poor form of the team.
However, the West Yorkshire outfit now have a chance to change all that, especially now being under new ownership in the 49ers Enterprises with a new era dawning at Leeds United.
And according to the Daily Mail report [26 June], the Whites could be set to lose around eleven first-team players with the club’s relegation triggering clauses in a number of contracts which allows them to even leave on loan.
Brendan Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Robin Koch, Rodrigo, Jack Harrison, Georginio Rutter and Illan Meslier have all been namechecked for potential Elland Road departures before the season kicks off in August leaving Leeds United desperately short on quality.
With the club closing in on a new managerial appointment in the coming days, it is absolutely imperative the club bosses and prospective new owners start identifying targets now for the new manager to work with ahead of the new season.
While persuading Diallo to choose Elland Road may prove a tricky task, it’s an opportunity Leeds United simply cannot afford to ignore and a few first-team incentives plus appointing the perfect manager to aid his development even further could certainly sway his decision, although Leeds could face tough challengers in Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland where he thrived at last season.
However, for a club of Leeds United’s size and pull, there is no harm in trying and Diallo represents a game-changing and era-defining signing for a club and fanbase in desperate need of some fresh and exciting impetus, especially on the pitch.
Diallo’s dazzling feet, technical skill, knack for the audacious goal and unique creative edge in the final third should make him a top target for Leeds United to pursue to replace the likes of Harrison and Gnonto.
Diallo, hailed as “Incredible” by his former Sunderland teammate Luke O’Nien, seems the perfect and arguably the most astute attacking reinforcement Leeds could make for next season.
The 2022/23 campaign proved his eventual breakout season as he proved a Black Cat hero for Sunderland during their sensational Championship playoff exploits, scoring 14 goals and registering three assists from 39 games.
The 20-year-old ranked fifth in the Championship last season for goal-creating actions (20), seventh for successful take-ons (62), seventh for non-penalty goals (4.3) and 1st for goal-creating actions per 90 minutes [FBRef] showcasing just how established he was in the division last season.
Leeds United have the opportunity to appoint arguably the best Championship manager over the past half-a-decade in Daniel Farke and couple him with arguably the league’s best right-winger during the 22/23 campaign.
If that doesn’t scream promotion favourites, then the 49ers may have no clue what will.
In other Leeds United news, the club are set to react to an impending Elland Road exodus with “ambitious” incoming transfer plans.