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Newcastle United want to sign Willy Gnonto with cut-price Leeds United exit on the cards
Newcastle United are interested in signing Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto this summer in a potential cut-price deal, according to NUFC blog.
The 19-year-old has swiftly risen to prominence among the Elland Road support since his summer move from FC Zurich, going on to register two goals and four assists from 20 Premier League games.
However, since Javi Gracia’s appointment in February, things haven’t been plain sailing for the Italian international only starting twice in Leeds United’s last nine Premier League encounters which has ultimately led to interest from several top European sides.
And according to a NUFC blog exclusive [2 May], the Magpies are among a whole host of elite teams interested in rescuing him from his difficult situation at Elland Road.
“We’ve been informed that two relegation-threatened talents are also being watched by the club – Leeds winger Wilfried Gnonto and Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson.
“The club are keeping a close eye on the fight for survival, aware of the fact several capable Premier League players will be available – potentially on the cheap – as Leeds, Forest, Everton and Leicester all battle to beat the drop.
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“[Amadou] Onana is a player our recruitment team have watched since his time with Lille, where he played alongside Sven Botman. Gnonto and Johnson could also be handy additions to the squad, which will have to balance Europe, cup competitions and another Premier League campaign in 2023/24”, as revealed by the report.
Will hurt
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a stellar first season in England, contributing four goals and four assists in 21 appearances in all competitions but more crucially possesses amazing trickery, 1v1 dribbling, pace and technical skill to unlock even the best defences in the Premier League.
However, Gnonto just hasn’t been rewarded with the starts his talents so very much deserve in recent weeks which has come as some source of disbelief to pundits, journalists and Leeds United fans alike.
The interest from elsewhere is inevitable given the wing-wizard’s wonderful brand of technical quality and skills in the final third but his situation in the team right now will only heighten and further the fears that Gnonto may be swayed in departing Elland Road, especially if they are relegated from the Premier League.
It’s claimed that Newcastle United will be holding out of a cut-price fee for Gnonto but if Leeds United have any respect for themselves and their financial position, they should not entertain such bids.
If the forward is to leave the club this summer, the Whites must ensure they get the best out of the deal as they are selling an incredibly gifted and heavily prized asset.
In other Leeds United news, other senior figures are now in line to be fired along with the manager after “emergency” talks.