Leeds United upset representatives of Willy Gnonto after £15m+ transfer decision at Elland Road
Leeds United have upset Willy Gnonto and his representatives by telling the forward that they won’t sell him this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported via their website on Thursday night (17 August) that Gnonto, 19 is training alone at Thorp Arch after refusing to play against Shrewsbury and Birmingham.
It is understood that Gnonto is wanted by Everton, who have so far offered over £15million for the Italy forward but the bids have been rebuffed by Leeds.
The Daily Mail claims Leeds’ stance has “upset” Gnonto and his team because he wants to return to the Premier League before the transfer window closes on 1 September to improve his chances of staying in the Italy squad.
Is Gnonto staying at Leeds?
It’s hard to see how this transfer saga ends with anything other than Gnonto leaving Elland Road.
He’s burning his bridges at Elland Road with fans already making their mind up about the Italian teenager.
If you refuse to play for Leeds then you’re giving about as big an insult as you can give to this fanbase.
Gnonto may not be able to come back from that in the eyes of the fans and if he’s not sold on before the transfer window closes, Leeds could also be shooting themselves in the foot financially.
Gnonto is worth more than £15million but at the end of the day, he was signed last year to join the Under-21s because Jesse Marsch couldn’t see a good player if Lionel Messi was standing in front of him doing keepy uppies.
It means that Gnonto’s not on a big contract at all, even though there are still four years left on it.
That both hinders his position and strengthens it because Leeds may be more willing to let him rot in the Under-21s until his behaviour changes while it also gives him more of a reason to want to leave.
We’ll see what happens but for the sake of everyone, it’s best that he leaves.
In other Leeds United news, fans have been dealt a costly reminder about their matchday behaviour.