According to Sky Sports, Leeds United are not “actively” looking to trade any players as Everton resume their pursuit of Willy Gnonto.
In a live update on Sky Sports News (15 July), Jessica Creighton stated that the Toffees are still interested in the 20-year-old despite being “frustrated” when the Whites refused to sell last year.
However, they are unable to finalize a deal until their star player Amadou Onana’s £50 million transfer to Aston Villa is completed.
At Elland Road, the club is not looking to sell after seeing one big-money exit with Archie Gray’s Tottenham deal.
Leeds United sold Archie Gray to Tottenham and purchased Joe Rodon.
Losing Gray to Spurs was a larger blow than watching Gnonto go for Goodison Park, so if it was a choice between the two, fans will be sad that the homegrown star went first.
Victor Orta’s time at the club is still having an impact, as the accounts appear to indicate £190 million in transfer payments on previous transactions still owed coming into the summer [Sky Sports, 29 May].
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post on May 28, £73 million of that figure had to be paid by the end of June, and while the Red Bull sponsorship has provided a significant boost to the finances, it would not be surprising if the Elland Road hierarchy felt compelled to make another sale if the money was right.
Glen Kamara’s departure to Rennes may also be relevant, as a deal worth €8 million [£6.72 million] has been agreed, according to L’Equipe (13 July), a profit on his £5 million move from Rangers a year ago, though the Glasgow club is due a 10% sell-on and a replacement will be sought [Leeds All Over, 13 July].
So, if Daniel Farke does not want to lose the 20-year-old Italian international, the Whites may continue to reject bids for Gnonto, as they did a year ago.
Leeds United declined the previous time mostly because he was one of the high-profile players without a relegation release provision in his contract at a time when an exodus from Elland Road was underway [Leeds Live, 15 August].
At the time, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter had yet to emerge as Farke’s attacking stars, so if they could both be kept, the club might be persuaded to accept the money for Gnonto.
So, if Daniel Farke does not want to lose the 20-year-old Italian international, the Whites may continue to reject bids for Gnonto, as they did a year ago.
Leeds United declined the previous time mostly because he was one of the high-profile players without a relegation release provision in his contract at a time when an exodus from Elland Road was underway [Leeds Live, 15 August].
At the time, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter had yet to emerge as Farke’s attacking stars, so if they could both be kept, the club might be persuaded to accept the money for Gnonto.
He scored nine goals and assisted three times, however he was third on the wing behind Summerville and Dan James after submitting a transfer request and tried to force an exit.
That means he is now again interested in joining Sean Dyche’s side, therefore everything will depend on how much Onana cash Everton is ready to throw on the table.
