Everton are reportedly leading the race to land 19-year-old Italian international Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds United.
According to Football Insider, Premier League side Everton are leading the transfer race to land Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto in the ongoing summer transfer window.
An attacker is on the agenda at Goodison Park given their overreliance on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to find the back of the net. The Toffees have failed to adequately replace Richarlison and Anthony Gordon in recent windows, and it is adversely impacting their ability to kill off games.
They were earlier linked with a move for Almeria striker El Bilal Toure. However, the youngster is now Atalanta bound, forcing the Merseysiders to look elsewhere. This could see them revisit a move for the Leeds United star.
The 19-year-old arrived at Elland Road last summer and has shown enough promise to suggest that he can thrive in the English top flight. A senior Italian international, Gnonto is one of the best young talents in Europe at this moment in time.
Primarily a left winger, Gnonto is a versatile attacker capable of playing anywhere along the frontline. This will give Sean Dyche several options on how to deploy him as per the requirement. Serie A champions Napoli are also interested in the player but are currently behind Everton in the race to land him.
While the Partenopei can certainly offer him more in terms of quality, their need to sell before buying puts them at a disadvantage. Everton can land the Italian for around £20 million, a reasonable price for a player who could go on to become a regular fixture for them in the years to come.
The Toffees will also be emboldened by the fact that Leeds United are in serious need of reinvestment. All in all, a transfer would suit all parties involved in the deal. Gnonto is a rough diamond with much fine polishing needed.
Working under a rigid tactician like Dyche could stifle his freedom to express himself in a fluid system. However, given the poor roster at Goodison Park, the 19-year-old Italian international could very well stand out and use his tint on Merseyside to propel him to a bigger club in the future.
I really can’t understand this. I know Leeds have been relegated and Gnonto possibly wants to play a higher level of football than the Championship. He cannot be blamed for that. But to leave Leeds and go to a club like Everton is madness. Dyche would not have a clue how to use him to get the best out of him and Everton are one of the , if not the, favourite for relegation next season. They will be fighting the FPL rules which they have cheated the last few seasons. the team is awful, no ambition as a club and Gnonto will have to move again next season once they are relegated. What a backward step this would be. He really needs to get a new agent who can actually give him expert advice and not one that is willing to let him slum it just for the money