49ers Enterprises have pulled off January transfer masterstroke as Wilfried Gnonto update emerges at Leeds United
The January transfer window has been a bit of a damp squib at Leeds United so far, with very little movement in or out of Elland Road this month.
It was always likely to be a quieter period than its summer counterpart that saw Daniel Farke forced to rebuild almost the entirety of his Whites playing squad after a transfer exodus following relegation from the Premier League
However, the small amount of business that has been done at Elland Road could prove to be incredibly important to the Whites as they have secured the future of academy gem Archie Gray having tied him down to a new deal.
It now appears as though Gray will be joined in extending his time at Leeds United by Wilfried Gnonto, with reports suggesting that Farke’s side are growing increasingly confident of agreeing a new deal with the Italian winger this month [Sky Sports, 22 January].
Gnonto hasn’t quite managed to set the Championship alight this season as most thought before a ball was kicked, but extending his stay at Elland Road with a new contract this month could be beneficial in more ways than one.
The 20-year-old’s current contract runs until 2027, so a new deal is unlikely to extend the length particularly, but it will likely drive up the price required to pry Gnonto out of Elland Road either this month or come the end of the season.
Barely a day has gone by in the transfer window where the Leeds wideman hasn’t been linked with a move away from Yorkshire, but a new contract will mean that the fee required to secure his services could well now be higher than ever.
This is almost a transfer masterstroke from Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises, as it will ensure that Gnonto’s stock won’t have fallen, despite his disappointing season so far which has only seen him score once in 21 Championship appearances.
Hopefully, the Whites will be able to keep the Italian at Elland Road beyond the end of the January window, as he could still play a major role in their push for an immediate return back to the Premier League.
But should he once again push for the exit door, the 49ers, Farke and Leeds supporters can rest easy knowing they’ll pocket a reasonable fee for his services.
In other Leeds news, Mick McCarthy has made a new prediction about the Whites’ automatic promotion chances
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