Leeds United transfer update as Chelsea show ‘genuine interest’ in Willy Gnonto
Leeds United ace Willy Gnonto is attracting “genuine interest” from Premier League rivals Chelsea, according to talkSPORT.
The teenage attacker has been a bright spark for the West Yorkshire outfit this season since his summer move from FC Zurich.
But his future at Elland Road remains unclear, with Premier League giants Chelsea reportedly one of many clubs interested in his signature.
“Leeds face a fight to keep hold of teenage talent Wilfried Gnonto – even if they stay up,” according to talkSPORT. “Gnonto, 19, only moved to Elland Road from Swiss side FC Zurich last summer but has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season in the Premier League.
“Clubs including AC Milan and Juventus are keen to bring the pacy Italian international to Serie A. talkSPORT understands there is also genuine interest from Chelsea.
“If they do sell, Leeds can expect to make a huge profit on the £4m they paid for the 19-year-old.”
Summer move likely
Gnonto’s Leeds future has been discussed heavily in recent months despite the winger only moving to England in the summer.
But his impressive displays have not gone unnoticed, particularly given his club’s wider struggles in the Premier League.
The teenager will definitely want to add more goals and assists to his game, but the raw materials are undoubtedly there to create a world-class player in the years to come. Importantly, both with time and with talented teammates, those goals and assists will arrive.
Leeds will be desperate to keep hold of the 19-year-old, but their hopes of retaining his services rely first and foremost on staying in the top flight.
The second issue will be the inevitable big-money offers that will come in for Gnonto, both from within and without the English Premier League.
A return to Italy is very much possible for the former Inter Milan youth player, who is slowly but surely building his way into becoming a permanent fixture of the Italian national team.
In other Leeds United news, one Whites player is “paramount” to the Premier League safety of the club, according to Joe Donnohue of the Yorkshire Evening Post.