Leeds United respond as Everton submit big-money bid to sign Willy Gnonto
Leeds United have rejected a £15million bid from Premier League club Everton for Willy Gnonto, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported on their website on Sunday (15 July) that the Whites have “swiftly” turned down the bid and have no interest in selling the winger.
Gnonto joined Leeds last summer from FC Zurich, with the 19-year-old scoring four goals in his debut campaign at the club.
“Everton have seen a £15m approach for Wilfried Gnonto knocked back by Leeds,” according to the Daily Mail.
“The Toffees firmed up their interest in the exciting Italian winger but their proposal was swiftly rejected by the Yorkshire side who also informed Everton they have no interest in selling.”
Double blow
It seems that Leeds will play hardball when it comes to any deal involving Gnonto this summer, with the West Yorkshire club clearly valuing their young winger highly.
He didn’t exactly set Elland Road alight last season, with the teenager spending the latter stages of the campaign on the bench under both Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce.
But when given opportunities on the pitch, the young Italian did impress with his raw talent, with Gnonto’s pace and trickery dazzling some of the most experienced defenders in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for Everton, however, that means he won’t come cheap – if he even is available at all – and the Toffees are in no position at all to fork out huge sums for new faces this summer.
Their worrying financial situation is clear, and it remains to be seen how far they can go in their pursuit of Gnonto if Leeds are not willing to let the player go for a substantial fee of £15million.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been handed a financial windfall as £121million FIFA news emerges.