Wilfried Gnonto refusing to play for Leeds United, wants move to Everton - Sky Sports

Wilfried Gnonto wants to leave Leeds United this summer and has made himself unavailable for upcoming games, according to Sky Sports News.

Speaking live on air (10 August), the global sports news station report that the Italy international is unhappy at not being able to complete a move away from Elland Road this summer following their relegation to the Championship.

Gnonto asked to be left out of the squad for the EFL Cup clash with Shrewsbury on Wednesday night, with Everton still interested in doing a deal for the forward.

"We've actually just been told that Wilfried Gnonto made himself unavailable for last night's EFL Cup game at Shrewsbury," they said.

"That is because he is unhappy at being unable to seal a move to another club. The player himself made himself unavailable.

"Everton remain interested in signing him and Leeds have, as we know, rejected several approaches from them this summer."

Yikes

Well this is a nightmare scenario for Leeds and the 49ers, but anyone who is totally shocked by it has been lying to themselves anyway.

Gnonto showed last season that despite initially being signed for the youth team, he was clearly too good for that and was one of our better performers in the Premier League.

His explosiveness and potential was clear for all to see and it's no surprise that there has been plenty of interest in his signature, but Leeds wanted to make a statement and stand firm.

But the player's will always had to be considered and it now seems obvious that he wants to be playing in the top flight in a year where he could represent Italy at Euro 2024.

The club will now be forced to accept any decent sized offers that come in for him or risk having an unhappy player on the books, and now we're short on time to find a replacement too.

In other Leeds news, fresh twist as Whites chase Euro centre-mid to bolster Farke's squad.