Carlton Palmer shares £15m Wilfried Gnonto verdict as Leeds United exit mooted
Carlton Palmer has suggested that Leeds United would be lucky to receive £15million for Wilfried Gnonto if they decide to try and sell him in January.
The 20-year-old was consistently linked with the Elland Road exit door throughout the summer transfer window and has been a bit part player for Daniel Farke so far this season, making only six league starts, scoring and assisting once.
With the January window just around the corner, Gnonto’s future is once again being spoken about heavily and Palmer believes his “poor” start to the season will have seen his value decrease massively from the summer.
As quoted by Football League World (19 December) he said: “Leeds United, in a massive u-turn, are said to be willing to cash in on Gnonto in the January window.
“Leeds’ stance was that he wasn’t for sale, despite being banished from the first-team squad after feeling he was unable to play after offers were rejected throughout the summer. However, his performances this season have been poor. He’s only started six games and scored one goal with a further assist.
“Leeds rejected a £25m bid from Everton in the summer when he tried to force a move. They won’t see that type of money again, so I think £10-£15m is the most Leeds would look to get for a player underperforming in the Championship.”
Not worth as much
Leeds United made the brave call to not allow Gnonto to depart Elland Road this summer and most supporters and pundits expected him to become one of the best players in England’s second tier, but so far he has flattered to deceive in the Championship.
Crysencio Summervile’s remarkable form has meant that the Italian winger has become a backup option on the left wing, with Farke preferring to operate with the Dutchman from the left flank instead of Gnonto.
However, the Whites may have picked the wrong time to attempt to move Gnonto on as Palmer suggested. His stock was high in the summer but having not played much so far this season, his value will have only fallen given his lack of regular minutes and goals.
If Leeds are offered £10-£15 million in January, they may well be tempted to cash in, but as the Whites push for promotion they cannot leave themselves short of options. They may be better off keeping the Italian at Elland Road until the end of the season and hope he recovers his form.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have reportedly made first contact over a move for Galatasaray star Kerem Akturkoglu