£20k-per-week Leeds Star Pushing to Leave Elland Road this Summer
Leeds United’s failure to secure promotion to the Premier League has sparked a potential mass exodus at Elland Road, with several key players already being linked with moves away from the club. One such player is Wilfried Gnonto, who is reportedly pushing to leave Leeds this summer.
Gnonto, who has been in and out of favor this season, started just 19 times for Daniel Farke and was often used off the substitutes bench. However, the Italian was part of the starting XI for Sunday’s Wembley disappointment against Southampton, which confirmed Leeds’ fate in the Championship for another season.
According to reports from Italy, relayed by MOT Leeds News, Gnonto is ready to leave Elland Road for good this summer and is prioritizing a move back to Italy, where he believes he will be able to best showcase his talents to Azzurri coach Luciano Spalletti. The forward has already begun to look for a new club, despite still having three years left to run on his £20,000 a week deal in Yorkshire.
Gnonto’s decision to leave Leeds is likely a result of the club’s failure to secure promotion to the Premier League, which has left the team facing a significant financial burden. Reports claim that Leeds must raise around £100m in player sales this summer, with up to 10 players potentially leaving the club. The same report claims that any departing players would only be replaced by free transfers and loan signings, highlighting the financial constraints the club is currently facing.
Gnonto’s departure would be a significant blow to Leeds, as he has been one of the team’s most impressive players this season. The 20-year-old has made 36 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing two assists, with a shots on target per 90 minutes ratio of 0.87. His performances have earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season and have attracted interest from several Premier League clubs.
However, Leeds’ financial situation may make it difficult for the club to command a significant fee for Gnonto’s services. Serie A clubs, in particular, are unlikely to be able to afford a substantial transfer fee, given the current financial climate in Italian football. This could leave Leeds with a difficult decision to make, as they weigh up the potential benefits of keeping Gnonto against the need to raise funds to address their financial situation.
Gnonto’s situation is not unique, as several other Leeds players are also facing uncertain futures. Crysencio Summerville, the Championship Player of the Season, is expected to leave the club this summer, with several Premier League clubs interested in his services. Other players, such as Georginio Rutter and Willy Gnonto, are also reportedly considering their options, as Leeds face a summer of significant change.
The situation at Elland Road is a stark contrast to the optimism that surrounded the club just a few months ago. Leeds’ failure to secure promotion has left the team facing a significant financial burden, which could have a knock-on effect on the club’s ability to attract and retain top talent. As the summer transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen how Leeds will address their financial situation and rebuild a team that has come so close to achieving promotion.
In the meantime, Gnonto’s decision to leave Leeds is a significant blow to the club, as they face a summer of uncertainty and change. The 20-year-old’s departure would leave a significant gap in the team’s attacking options, and it remains to be seen how Leeds will address this situation in the coming weeks and months.
As the situation at Elland Road continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this summer will be a defining period for Leeds United, as they look to rebuild and recover from the disappointment of missing out on promotion to the Premier League. Whether Gnonto’s departure is the start of a mass exodus or a one-off, it is clear that Leeds face a significant challenge in the coming weeks and months, as they look to address their financial situation and rebuild a team that has come so close to achieving promotion.