Lazio eye ‘Costly’ loan to buy worth £13.1m for Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto
Lazio are evaluating making an offer to sign Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto in January with a loan-to-buy deal on the cards, according to CalcioStyle.
Writing on their website (16 November), the Italian news outlet report that Maurizio Sarri is still keen on bolstering his attack in the January window and Gnonto is a target.
But the Italy international is currently considered to be expensive, and they could look to table an expensive loan deal with the right to make it permanent for £13.1m.
“The profile seems to be the right one, even if the cost of the price tag is expensive,” they wrote.
“The Italy striker plays for Leeds – in the Championship – and is looking around to avoid losing competitive ground.
“Lazio is a valid alternative, especially for playing European cups. The contract with the English ends in 2027 and the possibility of a costly loan with right of redemption set at €15 million (£13.1m) is being evaluated.”
Long January
It’s going to be a very long January transfer window at Elland Road judging by the way the rumours have already started in recent weeks.
Crysencio Summerville is likely to be targetted by Premier League clubs after his form this season while there have also been reports of moves for Charlie Cresswell, Archie Gray, Pascal Struijk and Gnonto.
But Gnonto is no doubt far more expendable this time around compared to the summer, where he tried to push for a move only for the 49ers to put their foot down and block any attempt.
With the team performing well, Farke is unlikely to sanction too many transfers as it could rock their bid for promotion, but if the right offer is made for Gnonto then it could make sense to let him go rather than keep an unhappy player around.
But a good offer would need to be made first, and a loan with such a small buy-option surely wouldn’t work for Leeds and that makes this a non-starter as it stands.
In other Leeds news, talks underway for first-team ace to sign ‘Bumper’ new long-term contract.