Daniel Feliciano

Fri 21 July 2023 12:32, UK

Wilfried Gnonto is not showing any signs of wanting to leave Leeds this summer despite interest from Everton, according to Graham Smyth.

Writing on his personal Twitter account (21 July), the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist shared an update on the Italy international’s future and claimed that “right now Gnonto isn’t pushing to leave.”

Expanding on that in an article on the news outlets official website, Smyth wrote that there is no “burning desire” from the player to leave Elland Road despite Everton tabling a £15m transfer bid earlier in the window.

“A long campaign that started in July 2022 with FC Zurich and ended in June 2023 with Nations League and Under 21 European Championships involvement in Italy squads delayed Gnonto’s return to training at Thorp Arch but he is now back training and has shown no signs of a burning desire to leave,” they wrote.

Perfect

The 49ers have made it very clear publicly that they have a desire to keep Gnonto at the club for the season in the Championship, with the hope he can push them back up to the Premier League at the first attempt.

The player has no release clause in his contract meaning we can demand whatever we like to any interested parties, and for once our negotiating position is strong.

But if Gnonto were to make his wishes clear that he wanted to leave then it would certainly alter things, so it’s great to hear that isn’t the case as of right now.

Everton are clearly very interested and have reportedly been working on a deal since April to bring him in, but if he is willing to stay at Elland Road then that is what Leeds need to make happen.

There is a long way to go until the window shuts, but there is less time until the season starts and if he plays at all this season then it would show the club’s intentions much more clearly.

In other Leeds news, the Whites could sell a first-team duo who have impressed Daniel Farke in training.