Leeds United fans have already endured one summer with Willy Gnonto attempting to force his way out of Elland Road.
And they may have to cope with it again in the last two weeks of the summer transfer season.
Gnonto, 20, has started Leeds’ first two Championship games this season, scoring against Portsmouth in a 3-3 draw at Elland Road last week before playing a goalless 90 minutes against West Brom on Saturday (18 August).
The Italy international has been reintegrated into Daniel Farke’s plans after requesting a move away from West Yorkshire last year when Everton attempted to sign him [Sky Sports], and he was a key player in last season’s unsuccessful promotion bid.
However, there appear to be preparations in the Leeds offices to perhaps replace him in Farke’s starting lineup with Sunderland’s Jack Clark.
Leeds United prepare late summer bid to re-sign Sunderland ace Jack Clarke
The Sunday Mirror stated on August 18 (page 69) that the Whites are planning to bring Clarke, 23, back to Elland Road after selling him to Tottenham for £10 million five years ago.
It remains to be seen how the Black Cats value the ex-Spurs attacker, who is in the final two years of his contract, but Leeds should be able to meet their demands after selling Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Glen Kamara, and – soon – Georginio Rutter for a combined total of more than £100 million.
Clarke always appeared to be a rare talent while at Leeds.
He made his professional debut in October 2018 at the age of 17, and two months later, he scored his first competitive goal for the Whites against Aston Villa.
Unfortunately, everything went wrong for the winger when he fell on the bench at Middlesbrough in February 2019 due to a sickness. He struggled with form after that and was eventually sold to Spurs later that year, who leased him back to Leeds, but Marcelo Bielsa continued to overlook the York-born star.
After some disappointing loan periods at QPR and Stoke, Sunderland signed the attacker, and he has since begun to live up to the hype at the Stadium of Light. Last season, he scored 15 goals and four assists in 40 Championship appearances, and he began this season in similar fashion with a goal against QPR.
Gnonto is unlikely to be pleased with this news.
Although he has more Premier League experience than Clarke, the ex-Leeds academy hopeful lit up the Championship last season and appears to be a better fit for Farke’s team.
It could lead to Gnonto knocking on Gretar Steinsson’s door, attempting to join Summerville, Rutter, Gray, and Kamara in fleeing Elland Road.
