Wilfried Gnonto transfer to Everton set to collapse as Leeds United maintain not for sale stance

Wed 23 August 2023 13:55, UK

Wilfried Gnonto’s transfer to Everton is set to collapse after Leeds maintained their not for sale stance during talks this week, reports Jacque Talbot.

Writing on his personal Twitter account (23 August), the Football Transfers journalist reports that the clubs held talks on Monday about a deal for the 19-year-old Italy international.

But Leeds maintained that the player would not be for sale during this window despite his transfer request and a deal is now considered unlikely, with the Toffees looking at alternative targets.

Talks between Leeds and Everton over the sale of Wilfried Gnonto have reached a stalemate following discussions early this week – other reports suggest that their latest bid has been knocked back. Likely to be it now, with Gnonto back in Thorp Arch training with Leeds.
— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) August 23, 2023

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“Everton are looking unlikely to sign Wilfried Gnonto after being informed by Leeds that the winger is not for sale during crunch talks this week,” they wrote on their website (23 August).

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“But having talks on Monday, the Premier League outfit were infomed that Leeds were unwilling to let the Italian leave Elland Road, despite Gnonto handing in an official transfer request.

“Sean Dyche is a huge fan of Gnonto, and a lot of the groundwork has already taken place over a deal. But the youngster is now back in training at Thorp Arch and a move is now considered unlikely.”

Huge

This is a huge win for Leeds but also for the 49ers after they proved they are no pushovers in the transfer market and deals will have to be done on their terms.

They made it clear very early on that Gnonto wouldn’t be sold this summer and despite the 19-year-old kicking and screaming to get his way, refusing to play and even being forced to train alone and move out of the first-team changing room that hasn’t changed.

The player is now back in training with the squad after talks with the club and it looks as though he has been forced to accept the club’s stance about a transfer.

Gnonto has burnt his bridges with the fans very quickly, but if he can show the same effort he did last season that earned him their love to begin with and score some big goals then maybe those bridges can be rebuilt.

He better hope so anyway, because it’s now clear that Gnonto won’t be leaving Leeds before next week’s deadline.

In other Leeds news, Piroe red tape emerges as Swansea walk back on exit agreement.