Why Wilfried Gnonto faces fresh fight away from Leeds as stakes rise for Fiorentina loan

Wilfried Gnonto's loan spell away from Leeds United has seen the stakes rise for his career.

The Italian winger completed a deadline-day move to Fiorentina, with the 22-year-old falling down Daniel Farke's plans.

It was a very late move, with Jean-Matteo Bahoya coming in to replace the forward in the squad.

While Gnonto has departed Elland Road, as of now, that move is only temporary, with no guarantee that he remains at Fiorentina following his loan.

The deal with the Serie A side does include an option to buy, but whether that is activated will depend on how the Italian performs this season.

And now an update on his potential standing at Leeds should he return has added more stakes to his loan.

Is there a place for Wilfried Gnonto at Leeds should he return?

Gnonto is still technically a Leeds player, but both the Yorkshire side and winger will likely want that to change.

Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that this current separation will become a permanent solution.

And as shared by BBC Sport journalist Adam Pope, Gnonto may not have a spot in Farke's squad should he return.

He shares that it is "hard to see" where the Italian would fit, especially with Harry Wilson arriving, Brenden Aaronson often starting over him, Dan James being utilised more, and both Noah Okafor and Bahoya capable on the left wing.

His spot in the pecking order has fallen quite far, adding more stakes and reason for him to perform in Florence.

If he fails to impress and push the Italian side to keep him after this campaign, he does face bleak prospects should he return to LS11.

Why Gnonto has added motivation away from Leeds

Luckily for Leeds, Gnonto also has more reason to perform other than securing his stay in Serie A.

As stated by Pope, Roberto Mancini is once more the Italy manager, and he was the coach who handed Gnonto his international debut back in 2022.

Gnonto, though, has not featured for Italy since September 2023, with a three-year hiatus away from the national team.

The 22-year-old will have his eyes on breaking back into the international set-up, and doing so in the Italian top flight may be his best route to doing so.

And if that becomes the case, it would be a win for every party involved in the winger's current situation.