Dean Jones moots Premier League move for Wilfried Gnonto amid ‘surprise’ Leeds United decision
Dean Jones has suggested a Premier League club could tempt Wilfried Gnonto to quit Leeds United after the surprising call to drop him this season.
The former Eurosport journalist insisted Gnonto could be the best player in the Championship but the fact he has been benched suggests something must be wrong for him at Elland Road.
As a result, he could look to leave with Premier League teams interested, despite being given a second chance at redemption following his antics in the summer transfer window.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT [28 December], Jones shared: “I’m really surprised a player that is this good is not in the starting line-up at a Championship club, especially when he was given a second chance at Leeds to make things work and was forgiven for that little moment he had in the summer.
“He is a brilliant player, but that has to be matched by the right mindset. Leeds need to know that he is going to be fully dedicated to what they are trying to achieve.
“I’m sure they would rather he is on top form and starting games because he should be the best player in the division, not just at Leeds.
“But the fact he isn’t means there is something not right here, so it’ll be interesting to see if a Premier League club comes knocking just to see if they might be able to tempt him away. A few weeks ago, that did not sound like it might be the case, but you never know.”
A season of ups and downs
It has been a difficult season for Gnonto at Leeds. It started with him trying to force a move away from the club, for which he apologised and knuckled down, but he has now dropped out of the starting lineup and talk of a move has started up once more.
How he behaves in the summer transfer will prove an interesting thing to follow. It is doubtful he would try to force a move again given what happened in the summer, but he will surely be frustrated by his lack of game time at Elland Road.
If a Premier League team shows interest, Gnonto will surely want to jump at the opportunity, after falling out of favour with Daniel Farke when his goal, as he has admitted, is to play in the top division in England.
All eyes will be on the Italian given what has happened in the past, and while we may not see the drama of the summer window, an exit from Leeds certainly appears to be on the cards as the season continues to play out against what he would have hoped.
In other Leeds United news, one Leeds star has hinted at a future move away.