Leeds United will not be selling Wilfried Gnonto this summer unless a ‘huge offer’ arrives.
That is according to Ben Jacobs, who told Give Me Sport that Gnonto is seen as key to Daniel Farke’s plans, and as such, only a bid ‘above market value’ would see him leave Elland Road before the end of the window.
Ever since Leeds‘ relegation was confirmed in May, Gnonto has consistently been labelled as a player San Francisco 49ers Enterprises are desperate to keep for the Championship season.
Following Farke’s arrival, that stance has only heightened with Gnonto having played 90 minutes in Leeds’ 2-2 season opener with Cardiff City on Sunday.
Everton have repeatedly been linked with a move throughout the summer, but as per the Mail, saw a £15 million bid rejected last month, are now pursuing alternative targets.
Jacobs says only ‘huge offer’ would tempt Leeds into selling Gnonto
Leeds are in a good position to keep Gnonto given his contract situation and lack of release clause, and journalist Jacobs has echoed that in his latest update.
He said: “I think that Daniel Farke sees Gnonto as being quite vital to the project in terms of coming back up, so Leeds have been pretty bullish here.
“They’ve been pretty dismissive with Everton, which tells you that somebody is going to have to pay above market value to succeed on this one.
“As it stands, Everton haven’t come back and Leeds are planning for the player to remain at Elland Road for the season. Only a huge offer or a player-driven move to try and force an exit is looking like changing that at this stage.”
If true, this is promising to hear from a Leeds stand-point as for too long they have undervalued their players, even in the Premier League.
Gnonto clearly has all the ability to rip up the Championship this season and 49ers have been quick to recognise that, with the potential of the 19-year-old helping Leeds to promotion worth more than any fee they could bring in.
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