Sky Sports share Willy Gnonto exit update at Leeds United amid Jack Harrison and Everton developments
Everton remain interested in signing Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds United, according to Sky Sports, despite seemingly winning the race to sign Jack Harrison.
Tom White, speaking on Sky Sports on Sunday (13 August), announced Harrison was to undergo a medical at Goodison Park after a loan exit clause in his contract was exercised following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League.
Fabrizio Romano later reported that Aston Villa had swooped in to hijack that deal, and Harrison was instead likely to pick a move to Villa Park on a loan deal with an option to buy before the Athletic announced it was Everton who had won the race for his signature.
The Toffees have been linked with Harrison’s team-mate Gnonto throughout the window, with the Italy international having again not played a part for Leeds in their defeat to Birmingham City on Saturday (12 August).
And it appears as though Everton are still keen on bringing him to Goodison Park, with White saying during an update on Harrison – that came prior to news of Villa’s attempted hijack – that they “remain interested in Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds as well”.
Nightmare scenario
Leeds’ relegation is costing them more than just the prestige of playing in the Premier League.
Their squad is being absolutely decimated by a series of clauses in players’ contracts allowing them to leave on loan following their demotion to the Championship.
Max Wober, Marc Roca, Brenden Aaronson, Robin Koch and Rasmus Kristensen are among those to take advantage of such clauses, while Rodrigo has also been sold during the window.
With Harrison sure to be going and Luis Sinisterra’s future also unclear, Leeds will be reticent to see Gnonto depart as well. But the problem is, they clearly have a disillusioned player on their hands, one who probably wants to be playing top-flight football to try and make Italy’s Euro 2024 squad next summer.
This really is turning into a nightmare scenario for Daniel Farke, Leeds, and their supporters. They need bodies in but they also need to stem the flow of exits.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has threatened his squad with a quadruple Elland Road exit now on the cards.