Leeds United contract development emerges on exit-linked Willy Gnonto at Elland Road – Sky Sports
Leeds United are “increasingly confident” of signing Willy Gnonto to a new contract at Elland Road, according to Lyall Thomas.
The Sky Sports journalist reported via Twitter on 22 January that the Italian international looks to be in line to commit to the Whites.
The attacker has been regularly linked with a move away from the club during the January transfer window, having failed with a push to join Everton in the summer, with HITC reporting on 8 January that a host of Italian sides were interested along with West Ham.
But instead, Thomas wrote: “Leeds are increasingly confident of agreeing a new contract with Wilfried Gnonto.”
On the Sky Sports live-blog it adds that the Whites are in fact “keen to agree new terms” with the 20-year-old, whose current deal expires in 2027.
Unexpected
With Gnonto having fallen comprehensively behind star teammates Crysencio Summerville and Dan James in the Championship this season it seemed like the likelihood of him leaving would have only increased since he handed in a transfer request in the previous window.
Although he apologised to manager Daniel Farke and has by all accounts been a model pro in the months since his opportunities have not been what many would have expected thanks to those ahead of him being in such strong form.
It would have been a risk for the club to let him go this month for anything less than huge money either way, but if they are actually looking to secure his long-term future then it would seemingly rule out an exit entirely.
Since his deal wasn’t close to expiring anyway it doesn’t appear that this move would be to protect his transfer value, so Gnonto must remain a key part of Farke’s plans.
Gnonto was presumed likely to be one of the stars of the Leeds United side if he remained for the Championship campaign this season.
But he has only started six of his 21 league outings this term, and just twice since suffering an ankle injury which kept him out for four matches through September and October, while he has scored just one.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are now targeting a new defensive target from the Premier League.
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