Leeds United to Everton transfer news: ‘Unexpected boost’ update emerges on Willy Gnonto with talks still open
Willy Gnonto is considering staying at Leeds United depending on what offers he receives as he is unsure over a move to Everton, according to talkSPORT.
The Italy international, 19, has been linked with an exit throughout the summer but crucially doesn’t have a relegation release clause in his contract.
That has left the Whites with more control over the situation and saw them reject a £15million bid from Goodison Park. The winger has been tipped to leave before the window shuts either way but the latest update suggests he isn’t sold on the idea of Merseyside and might not go anywhere.
According to Alex Crook’s most recent Transfer Notebook for talkSPORT (27 July): “Everton target Willy Gnonto could be about to hand Leeds’ hopes of returning to the Premier League an unexpected boost.
“As this column has previously reported, Gnonto is high on Everton boss Sean Dyche’s list of summer targets.
“However, talkSPORT understands Gnonto, 19, and his advisers are not completely sold on the idea of a move to Goodison Park, and that the Italian could consider staying at Elland Road depending on what other offers he receives.
“While dialogue remains open, Everton have already started drawing up a list of potential alternatives to Italian international Gnonto.”
Positive
Some Leeds United fans would have understood if there was a move to the likes of Chelsea or Inter on the cards for Gnonto, but have felt an Everton exit doesn’t make the same sense after back-to-back relegation battles.
This update suggests he might be of the same opinion, and on current evidence increases the likelihood that he remains for the Championship season, assuming another club doesn’t decide to put big money on the table before deadline day.
Until the Premier League and the second tier seasons get under way it will be difficult to tell, but early predictions suggest Gnonto would risk passing the Whites on their way back up to the top flight if he were to go to Goodison.
He has proven he is good enough for the Premier League, and would no doubt be a useful weapon for Dyche on Merseyside, but Daniel Farke is surely trying to sell the promotion project to him regularly through preseason.
If the former FC Zurich player can be convinced to forego interest past deadline day, and he can recapture the form he showed last winter, then he could be a leading performer this season.
But given the transfer window will be open until Leeds United have played their first five games of the campaign in all competitions it would be imperative to get off to a good start otherwise players in two minds might be convinced promotion isn’t on the cards after all.
In other Leeds United news, a key teammate’s exit is a “done deal” according to a Sky Sports journalist and his new club have already planned to make an announcement.