By Daniel Feliciano

14th Aug, 2022 | 10:05pm

Leeds United working to sign Wilfried Gnonto in £4.2m deal - Gianluca Di Marzio

Leeds United are trying to complete a transfer for Italian Under-18 forward Wilfried Gnonto from FC Zurich, according to reliable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Whites are looking to strengthen their forward options for Jesse Marsch, and have identified the 18-year-old as a potential option.

According to Di Marzio, Leeds are working to complete a deal for a fee of around £4.2m and there is confidence that a deal could be closed before August 25th.

Gnonto has been capped four times by the senior Italian national team by Roberto Mancini, scoring in a 5-2 defeat to Germany.

His direct, pacy style has seen him compared to Chelsea and England winger Raheem Sterling in the past by journalist Carlo Garganese.

Talent

There is clearly a lot of talent in Italy right now, but Leeds have been smart and are looking to tie up a deal for one of their brightest talents before a big club is able to snap him up.

Gnonto is capable of playing all the way across the front line, capable of playing on both wings and just behind the striker as well as as the focal point number nine.

After coming through the Inter Milan academy, Gnonto moved to FC Zurich in Switzerland in 2020 where he scored twice in three appearances for their reserve team.

He has since gone on to make 61 appearances for their first-team, including 35 appearances in the 2021/22 season where he managed to score 10 goals.

It would be a completely left-field option but Leeds are well known for their development of young talent through the ranks and he could be someone that really takes the fans hearts should he join.