Liam Cooper has sent a message to Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto on Instagram after his star performance for Italy U21s on Sunday.
Gnonto posted a selection of photos onto his Instagram from his game against Switzerland, in which he scored Italy’s second in a crucial 3-2 win.
Italy faced elimination from the competition had they been beaten at the weekend, having lost their group stage opener to Illan Meslier’s France.
Gnonto and his teammates play their third and final group match against Leo Hjelde and Kristoffer Klaesson’s Norway on Wednesday, knowing a win would all but guarantee qualification to the quarter-finals.
It was Gnonto’s first ever goal for Italy’s U21s having jumped straight from the U19s to the senior side under Roberto Mancini.
Cooper sends Gnonto message on Instagram
Following relegation to the Championship, Gnonto is a player San Francisco 49ers Enterprises are desperate to keep this summer, though performances like this will do little to deter potential suitors.
Leeds captain Cooper was quick to recognise the quality of Gnonto’s display for his country, responding in his comments with three clapping emojis.
Hopefully Cooper can provide the 49ers with a helping hand in their quest to keep Gnonto this summer, as the defender almost certainly set to stick around himself.
Gnonto is reportedly yet to receive any interest in his services, though that could quickly change, with his agent already having stated he is expecting offers.
Being a senior player, Cooper can get in the ear of Gnonto and encourage him to stay. The response to his Instagram post is potentially a first step towards doing so.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
