Wilfried Gnonto now offered to Aston Villa in Leeds United transfer twist
Wilfried Gnonto has been offered to Aston Villa as he continues to push for a Leeds United exit, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The Italian forward has been heavily linked with a switch to Everton, with Fabrizio Romano reporting he has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract at Goodison Park.
However, Jones, speaking to GIVEMESPORT (10 August), revealed he could still be an option for West Ham, while Fulham may have him in mind should their move for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi fall flat, and the diminutive 19-year-old has also been put forward as an option to Unai Emery’s Villa side.
Jones said: “Gnonto was impressive on Sunday, but obviously alarm bells are ringing now because of it becoming pretty clear he wants to leave.
“If he stays on board at Leeds, their hopes of promotion this season are increased massively. But the threat of him leaving has always been there, and a large reason for that is he doesn’t want a season in the Championship. He knows he doesn’t need to be playing there.
“As a person, he’s one of the happiest players in the country, and he’s got this amazing personality that he’s shown since joining, but don’t be fooled into thinking that beneath that smile is not someone who is extremely driven by the need to be successful here and now.
“We saw flashes of absolute brilliance last season, and he’s proven to himself and other clubs that he’s Premier League quality. He’s got options here and in Italy that are still being explored.
“He could be an option for West Ham, while Everton like him, and I’ve heard him mentioned as someone Fulham have had half an eye on too, while they look to recruit a creative player if Callum Hudson-Odoi was to fall flat.
“Aston Villa have been offered the chance to sign him and are making a decision on that at the moment.”
Cash in and move on
In an ideal world, Wilfried Gnonto is a player Leeds would have kept at Elland Road after relegation as there is no doubt he could be a hugely valuable asset in the Championship.
But the teenager is clearly eager to depart Leeds following their drop out of the Premier League, perhaps due to his huge ambition and perhaps because he will want to play at the highest level possible to make Italy’s Euro 2024 squad.
What is clear at this juncture is that it would be detrimental for Leeds to try and keep Gnonto. His heart is clearly set on the move, and Leeds need players who are fully committed to the task at hand, which is securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
It is tricky for Daniel Farke, who is seeing the squad he inherited get absolutely decimated, with Tyler Adams now set to join Chelsea too.
With the sales of Adams and Gnonto, though, he would have a decent war chest to re-invest and build a side capable of challenging for top spot.
It’s time to cash in and move on.
In other Leeds United news, Beren Cross has shared Daniel Farke’s priorities after Tyler Adams sale is complete.