Willy Gnonto lined up for January exit as Leeds United eye attacking signings
Fiorentina are reportedly eyeing up Willy Gnonto as a January acquisition from Leeds United.
Gnonto was an important figure as Daniel Farke won the Championship title last term and got the Whites back into the Premier League, scoring scoring nine and assisting six more in 43 league outings.
But Leeds signed Noah Okafor from AC Milan for sizeable fee in the summer, and Farke has riled fans with his use of Brenden Aaronson in attack, so Gnonto has been a peripheral figure in the top flight.
Despite starting the opening three games of the campaign the Italian lost his position due to injury and has tended to see late action off the bench since Farke changed formation and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s form exploded.
He has made just nine appearances in the Premier League this season, starting only four.
Fiorentina want Willy Gnonto on loan-to-buy deal
Now, according to Fiorentina Uno, Gnonto’s status on the outskirts of the Leeds United squad has caught the attention of Fiorentina who are looking at a move in the January window.
While La Viola have to secure some outgoings, including striker Edin Dzeko, they have an eye on the Whites attacker to improve their fortunes.
The Serie A side are rooted to the bottom of the table but are hoping to improve Paolo Vanoli’s squad when the market opens in the New Year and would like Gnonto on loan for the second half of the season.
It is deemed possible that the 22-year-old could depart Elland Road given he isn’t playing regularly and Leeds are thought to be looking for further signings in his position themselves.
If a deal can be done a conditional permanent option has been mooted that would see Fiorentina complete the transfer if they avoid relegation and Gnonto plays a certain number of games along the way.
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Leeds should cash in if the offer is right
Gnonto’s progress since he emerged during the chaotic final season of the previous Premier League stay hasn’t been quite what would have been hoped from the early signs.
The Under-21 international has proven that on his day he can be dangerous in the top flight, and close to unplayable in the second tier.
But three years on from initially impressing under Jesse Marsch he remains only an option for Farke rather than someone the German can’t leave out of the XI.
Although the Whites boss has hit on a successful formula at long last with two up front, and seemingly saved his job along with it, he can’t afford to assume he and the club will be safe for the rest of the campaign so will surely want to strengthen again in January.
Letting Gnonto go at this stage wouldn’t be the blow it once was when his links to Everton wouldn’t go away, but a loan to a potentially-doomed Fiorentina side might not be especially beneficial for Leeds or the player.
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