Willy Gnonto contract extension on the cards at Leeds United amid Everton interest, Tyler Adams may follow – Phil Hay
Phil Hay believes there is “definitely” the likelihood of a new Leeds United contract offer to keep Willy Gnonto at the club this summer.
Everton have been at the front of the queue to sign the 19-year-old after a breakout first season in England ended in relegation, but the Whites look intent on keeping him and teammate Tyler Adams as key building blocks for the Championship promotion push under Daniel Farke.
New Elland Road chairman Paraag Marathe hinted that the American may be retained after the 49ers takeover was completed, and Hay feels that the Whites hold an “advantage” with Gnonto due to the lack of a release clause in his current deal, with the potential for both the Italian and Adams to get new deals which incentivise remaining in West Yorkshire.
Speaking on The Square Ball podcast on Tuesday (18 July, 11m 50s) Hay said: “Willy Gnonto is due back in this week, they’ve knocked back some interest from Everton in him and seem really intent on keeping Gnonto if they can.
“The advantage is he doesn’t have a relegation release clause in his contract unlike just about everybody else in the squad, there are other exceptions too, but most of them have some provision along those lines. So they can actually control that one, that is a transfer they can almost do as they please with.”
Hay admitted it would be tough if the teenager says he wants to go or big offers came in, but when asked about the potential for extensions to keep him and Adams at Elland Road the Athletic journalist answered (12m 50s): “I suspect so with Gnonto, definitely, and potentially with Adams as well. I think there would have to be some carrot with it to persuade them that it was the right to do.”
Crown jewels
While Ethan Ampadu’s arrival will come as a boost to Farke’s midfield options he still needs a number of other new arrivals before the season starts.
A host of first-team players have already departed this summer, with Rodrigo’s permanent exit to Al-Rayyan in Qatar the biggest blow compared to a series of loan exits.
But while there have been extensive links to the likes of Gnonto, Adams, and other teammates such as Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville, they are all currently still at the club.
Marathe has made clear that the new regime is looking to avoid losing key men so if Gnonto and Adams could be enticed to remain with new deals it would make Farke’s remaining summer business significantly lighter, and his line up for the second tier that much stronger.
It would still be a surprise if there were no further outbound moves before the window closes but it was always expected that a lot of players would leave.
So if a few key figures, the two aforementioned names likely chief among them, can be clung onto Leeds United will likely be feeling pretty satisfied with the situation.
In other Leeds United news, another senior appointment has now been made to the new regime and introduced to staff at Elland Road.