Wilfried Gnonto twist emerges as Leeds United exit collapses
Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto has seen any move to Everton now fully collapse, according to Mike Keegan.
Everton have had four separate bids rejected for the Italy international, who has sat out Leeds’ past three matches and is now training alone after pushing to leave.
Keegan wrote in his Sports Agenda column in the print edition of the Daily Mail on Monday [21 August, pg 61] that Gnonto officially made his stance clear 90 minutes before the 1-1 draw with West Brom on Friday [18 August].
“Leeds United were made aware that Everton target Wilfried Gnonto had handed in a written transfer request before it landed,” Keegan said.
“The Yorkshire club initially learned of the development via media reports on Friday, Agenda understands. Eventually, one-and-a-half hours before they took on West Brom, the request arrived.
“Leeds are adamant the 19-year-old is not for sale after talks with the Toffees collapsed following a process in which Everton were said to have made four offers.”
Stance clear
Gnonto has now tried every tactic to force through a move to Everton, but Leeds are quite simply refusing to budge.
The Whites made it clear in a statement on August 11, when confirmation first arrived of Gnonto making himself unavailable for selection, that the Italian will not be sold.
Everton tested the Championship side’s resolve with an offer of £25million, which they may yet improve on before the window closes at 11pm on 1 September [David Ornstein].
It will be interesting to see if United accept what will surely be Everton’s final offer, or instead make Gnonto stay at Elland Road until at least January.
Leeds supporters have made their feelings towards Gnonto clear through various chants and banners, but the longer the transfer saga draws out, the more likely it looks he will stay in Yorkshire.
If that is the case, it is fair to say Gnonto has plenty of making up to do to Leeds’ fanbase.
The only way he will achieve that is by scoring goals and helping the Whites in their quest to at the very least challenge for the play-off spots.
In other Leeds United news, another club may have entered the race to sign Gnonto.