Wilfried Gnonto escape route already in action at Leeds United as Victor Orta heads for another bittersweet signing
There could be another bittersweet moment for Victor Orta and Leeds United this summer as young star Willy Gnonto edges closer towards the exit door.
The teenager was only brought in at the beginning of the campaign, joining from Swiss Super League side FC Zurich.
But his future at Elland Road is already uncertain, with Serie A clubs Juventus, AS Roma, AC Milan, Napoli and Atalanta all interested in his signature, according to 90min.
It isn’t just Italian clubs who are interested in the youngster, with Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all keeping tabs on Gnonto [Gazzetta.it].
He only has two goals and three assists from 16 league matches, but at just 19 years old it is clear that he is only going to get better, having already terrified many top full-backs with his pace and trickery.
The teenager is also quickly becoming a star for the Italian national team, and looks set to play a key role in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Gnonto’s loss would be a huge blow to Orta, manager Javi Gracia and Leeds supporters, but the club may be helpless in preventing him from leaving.
Fellow stars Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips have left for huge fees in recent times, a sign that a hefty fee could be all that it takes to persuade Gnonto to leave.
Perhaps the most obvious incentive that Leeds can offer the teenager to stay at Elland Road would be to secure their Premier League survival for another season.
The Yorkshire outfit currently sit 14th in the table amid an impressive resurgence under Gracia, but they remain just two points above the relegation zone.
Along with a potentially massive fee, a chance to play for high-flying Arsenal or Man City would be hard to turn down for Gnonto, as would the opportunity to play in his home nation for a major Serie A club.
The winger was the club’s ninth signing of the most recent summer transfer window, joining Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Darko Gyabi, Rasmus Kristensen, Sonny Perkins, Joel Robles, Marc Roca and Luis Sinisterra in making the switch to Elland Road, according to the official Leeds website.
Not all have hit the heights expected of them, but Gnonto has surpassed all expectations, both to the delight and worry of Leeds supporters.
In other Leeds United news, LAFC are now finalising the deal to sign youngster Mateusz Bogusz after UD Ibiza released him from his loan.