Wilfried Gnonto exit clause update after new Leeds United contract developments
Wilfried Gnonto’s new Leeds United contract does not include any new exit clauses, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on Saturday (31 August) that the Whites have tied the Italian international down to a new four-year deal at Elland Road after the transfer window slammed shut.
Gnonto’s new contract with Daniel Farke’s side will run until the end of the 2027/28 season, 12 months after his previous deal with the Whites was set to expire in the summer of 2027.
Will Wilfried Gnonto exit Leeds United amid Elland Road transfer rumours?
Like so many of his teammates at Elland Road, Gnonto was linked with an exit throughout the summer transfer window, particularly after Farke’s side missed out on promotion via the playoff final.
Reports suggested that Everton were very keen to secure the winger’s signature, but the Toffees were ultimately priced out of any potential deal as the Whites demanded a large upfront fee before sanctioning his exit [Joe Donnohue, 27 July].
Perhaps the most important news rather than the contract extension is the fact that there is no exit clause included. Leeds United have repeatedly been stung by these sorts of agreements in the past.
Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter all departed this summer for cut-price fees because of such agreements in their deals and Leeds simply could not afford to let the same thing happen with Gnonto.
If he is to depart Elland Road in the future, it will now be completely on the Whites’ terms. Hopefully, that won’t be for a while yet, but this feels like an incredibly sensible and measured business decision from the Whites.
Hopefully, other major stars like Gnonto will be tied down in this manner over the coming months. It would be excellent if the core of Farke’s squad could put pen to paper on new deals as the Whites stage a promotion push.
In other Leeds United news, an Ao Tanaka debut update has emerged at Elland Road after his deadline-day move to the Whites
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