Wilfried Gnonto is among a number of current Leeds United players attracting interest following their relegation from the Premier League. The young Italian international signed for the Whites from FC Zurich last summer and was expected to be a long-term signing at Elland Road.
However, the lively forward surpassed expectations and was one of very few positives to come out of Leeds' 2022/23 campaign. The former Inter Milan youngster made 45 appearances in all competitions for both club and country last season, with six goals and five assists.
It's that form that's attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs and a host of clubs across Europe. Juventus and former club Inter Milan are reportedly keen on signing the 19-year-old.
Leeds hold the ace card when it comes to Gnonto's future, with his current deal set to expire in 2027. There's no indication to suggest a relegation clause had been inserted into the Italian's contract but that hasn't stopped speculation regarding his short-term future.
Read more: Leeds United unveil 2023-24 home shirt ahead of first outing vs Man United
Leeds Live has taken a look at the latest transfer news and speculation regarding Gnonto's future at Leeds United.
Villa 'not giving up' Gnonto chase
Following on from Tuesday morning's reports in Italy that Everton have agreed a deal with Leeds for Wilfried Gnonto, it would appear that Aston Villa are not yet ready to throw in the towel.
As per Sport Witness, another Italian outlet Calciomercato report that Villa have 'no intention' of giving up the chase for the Italy international, with this being the 'hottest hours' in determining Gnonto's next move.
Everton 'agree fee' for Wilfried Gnonto
Reports in Italy claim that Everton and Leeds United have agreed a fee for Wilfried Gnonto. Sport Italia claim the Toffees have agreed a £18.8million price tag with the Whites, as they look to fend off interest from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and a host of Italian sides for the teenager's signature.
The report adds that the player is 'very close' to joining the Toffees and a spell which has seen him play 28 times for Leeds since his deadline day move last summer, is almost over.
Aston Villa latest Premier League club linked
The Leeds United squad are returning for pre-season training this week, but those on international duty, such as Gnonto will get a longer break, which gives the teenager longer to resolve his future. And according to Sportitalia (via Football Italia), Gnonto has a new suitor in Aston Villa, as new director of football Monchi - who has previously worked with Victor Orta - looks to make his mark.
The report adds that Everton remain the favourite to land the Italy international, with Freiburg also mentioned again.
Agent arrives at Inter HQ to 'offer' Leeds United man
With Italy's under-21s side having been dumped out of the European U21s Championship at the group stage, both Wilfried Gnonto and Leeds United will no doubt be looking to clear up the 19-year-old's future.
A report from Italian outlet FC Inter News claims that Gnonto's agent Claudio Vigorelli has arrived at Inter Milan''s headquarters in a bid to 'offer' the teenager to the Italian giants.
It adds that Gnonto is likely to leave Leeds and he would 'gladly' rejoin his former side Inter.
Freiburg set to rival Everton for Wilfried Gnonto as 'asking price' emerges
Gazzetta dello Sport claims Everton are among a number of clubs looking to sign Leeds' youngster Wilfried Gnonto this summer.
They report that the Blues have a concrete interest in the forward buy German side SC Freiburg are also among the interested parties.
GdS claims Leeds are looking for between €15m (£12m) to €20m (£17m) to prompt a sale.
Gnonto's agent reveals stance on Leeds future
Wilfried Gnonto’s agent will sit down with Leeds United in the coming weeks to discuss his client's desire to continue his Premier League journey. Gnonto has been consistently linked away from Elland Road this summer, with a series of clubs in both the Premier League and Serie A said to be keeping tabs on his situation in West Yorkshire.
“I say that we are focused on the national team and the European championship,” Claudio Vigorelli told Calciomercato’s TVPlay, via Sport Witness. “Then we have to talk to Leeds and we’ll see, but I think there will be options.
“The Premier League experience has been fantastic for him and I think he wants to continue in that direction. But right now, the focus is on the national team.”
Gnonto was one of the breakout stars of the last Premier League campaign, receiving huge amounts of plaudits and admiration for his performances on Leeds’ left wing. He ended the season having made 28 appearances and scored four goals in all competitions.
Fiorentina keeping tabs on Gnonto
According to Italian publication La Nazione, Fiorentina see Leeds United trio Illan Meslier, Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra as potential 'low cost' transfer options following the Whites' relegation from the Premier League.
However, the report claims those Leeds players are still likely to command a much higher price than other alternatives this summer.
Meslier has been linked with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester United, while Gnonto is reportedly a target for a number of high-profile Italian clubs.
Fresh Premier League interest in Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto as clubs travel to U21s Euros
Crystal Palace have emerged as the latest Premier League club to show an interest in Leeds United starlet Wilfried Gnonto. The forward appears to have clubs lining up to secure his signature this summer following the Whites' relegation from the Premier League and that interest only looks set to intensify as the summer transfer window progresses.
The likes of Everton, Juventus, Manchester City, Arsenal and Fiorentina have already been linked to Gnonto and the Daily Mirror have now added Crystal Palace to a seemingly ever growing list. The report claims Palace, who are still without a permanent manager after ending the season with Roy Hodgson in charge, have identified Gnonto as the man to replace Wilfried Zaha should he opt to leave Selhurst Park.
Zaha is in the final week of his contract in south London and there have been strong suggestions that he could be set to leave the Eagles in favour of a move to Saudi Arabia. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are the club in the frame, but the 30-year-old may also decide to renew with Palace.
Serie A sides learn Willy Gnonto price tag as Leeds United won't sell cheaply
Clubs wanting to prise Willy Gnonto away from Leeds United this summer will have to pay at least £18million for the Italian forward.
Reports in Italy say both AC Milan and Fiorentina have been quoted the price when enquiring about the 19-year-old's availability following the Whites' relegation to the Championship. Gnonto only arrived at Elland Road on transfer deadline day in September of last year, making a late move from Swiss side FC Zurich.
Leeds' struggles last season meant he perhaps wasn't given the chances he would have like to perform in the Premier League, although he still managed to impress with a series of eye-catching displays. However, with Jesse Marsch - and then Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce - opting for experience in a bid to escape the Premier League dropzone, Gnonto's gametime diminished after a strong run in the middle of the season.
Juventus' Wilfried Gnonto talks and why Leeds United striker's move could hinge on Liverpool deal
From the moment the club's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, Wilfried Gnonto's Leeds United future was brought into question. The 19-year-old forward is one of the most promising young strikers in Europe, with 10 caps for Italy and an international goal already on his CV at such a young age.
His progress since arriving at Leeds from Zurich last summer meant Serie A clubs were already sitting up and taking an interest for the future. Then came relegation and now that interest has seen several sharks circling the Whites, ready to move in and make a play for a player who wants to be playing at the top level, whether in England or his native Italy.
To that end Italian giants Juventus know they have a great opportunity this summer to sign a player who they've been tracking with an eye on for the future. Now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, Juventus have made a first move by holding an initial conversation with representatives of Gnonto, although crucially, no talks have been held with Leeds at this stage.
