David Moyes has turned down the chance to sign Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto for West Ham this summer.
That is according to Daily Mirror journalist James Nursey, who reports Gnonto is among several players recommend by Tim Steidten that Moyes has rejected the opportunity to bring in.
Steidten was only appointed at West Ham as the club’s new technical director last month but is already facing big problems behind-the-scenes due to a conflict of interest with Moyes.
After winning the club’s first ever European trophy, Moyes is keen to retain full control over transfers, prioritising the additions of domestic-based players with plenty of Premier League experience.
Steidten, however, has recommended a number of players from the foreign market, including Gnonto, who Moyes has said no to.
Moyes turns down chance to sign Gnonto from Leeds
West Ham had looked set to sign left-winger Carlos Borges from Manchester City but were gazumped at the final hurdle by Ajax, leaving them on the lookout.
Steidten has suggested Leeds’ Gnonto as a potential alternative, who enjoyed a promising first individual Premier League campaign last term, which saw Leon Osman label him as ‘terrific’ back in February.
Following the departure of Jesse Marsch as manager, Gnonto did see his form tail off towards the back end of the season, but at 19, there is no doubting his enormous potential.
San Francisco 49ers Enterprises have earmarked Gnonto as a player they want to keep in the Championship this season and already appear to have fended off interest from Everton.
However, Moyes clearly hasn’t seen enough from Gnonto to warrant him making a move, which can only be a good thing for Leeds’ chances of keeping him.
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