Leeds United to reinvest money from Wilfried Gnonto sale
Leeds United would be doing “good business” by selling Wilfried Gnonto to Everton and reinvesting the money on improving the squad, Carlton Palmer has said..
Speaking to Football League World on 23 July, former Whites midfielder Palmer said that Leeds could earn a handsome profit on the Italian international this summer, having paid just £3.8million for him in September 2022.
Everton have a long-standing interest in Gnonto and first tried to sign him after the Whites’ relegation 12 months ago, with United encouraged to hold out for £25million despite not achieving promotion [TEAMtalk, 15 July].
Palmer said: “He’s still 20 years of age, so this would represent a good bit of business by Leeds United, who paid just £3.8million for Gnonto in 2022.
“I know Everton were in for him before and looking to pay £20million – then the fee dropped and Leeds weren’t interested in about £10–15million.
“Good business by Leeds, further reducing their wage bill, and giving them money to reinvest in the squad having already sold Archie Gray.”
Leeds United may be keen to prevent Wilfried Gnonto transfer
Gnonto may have been the player who publicly pushed for an exit from Elland Road last summer, but this time around, it remains to be seen if he’ll be willing to play in the Championship for a second season.
Despite £25m being a significant profit on the money spent to bring Gnonto to LS11 in 2022, the Whites may be faced with a waiting game over the transfer status of their other wide players.
Gnonto eventually displaced Daniel James on the right flank in the latter half of last season, but it’s left winger Crysencio Summerville who has attracted the most attention after his exploits in 2023/24.
Summerville managed a combined 31 goals and assists last season, and as such a plethora of clubs have circled looking to sign him, with United commanding a fee north of £40m if they can.
Gnonto may be keen on making the move to Everton – though is yet to make such a stance clear – but he could be forced to wait and see if the Peacocks would rather cash in on Summerville and earn an even more substantial profit.
In other Leeds news, Blackburn Rovers are doing all they can to keep hold of a player the Whites want this summer.
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