Wilfried Gnonto to stay put at Leeds United this January
According to Football Insider, Italian attacker Wilfried Gnonto is set to stay put at Leeds United in the ongoing 2024 January transfer window.
The attacker was heavily linked with an exit last summer with Everton among the clubs who were keen. He eventually stayed put but rumours of an impending exit refuse to die down. With just days to go before the winter window slams shut, Leeds will be glad to retain their number 29.
Daniel Farke’s men are currently fourth in the EFL Championship standings and are aiming to secure promotion back to the Premier League. Inconsistency has cost them heavily but Leeds remains a side with a realistic chance of securing a top-two finish.
Retaining Gnonto will give the Yorkshire club strength in depth and an extra attacking option to be called upon. Already an international for Italy, Gnonto’s abilities are well known despite him having struggled with injuries this season.
West Ham United are in the market for an attacker and have their eye on Gnonto. However, they will have to return in the summer as he is going nowhere this January. With games coming thick and fast, strength-in-depth is key and it makes sense for Frke to want to keep the winger.
Daniel James has largely occupied the right-flank this season for Leeds but the Welshman cannot be asked to play every single minute of every game this season. Having Gnonto will allow Farke to mix things up and also throw fresh legs onto the pitch.
Capable of making a difference in the final third, the 20-year-old could yet play a major role in where Leeds end up this season. After all, in the ultra-competitive Championship, a win or two could change destinies.
The Championship side are in the market and appear to be eyeing Merseyside-based reinforcements. Ben Godfrey, Nathaniel Phillips and Calvin Ramsay have all been linked with a move to Elland Road and should give the Whites the added quality to shore up their backline.
