Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto is not close to joining Everton at this stage.
That is according to Phil Hay, who was speaking on the latest episode of The Square Ball Podcast, with Gnonto’s future among the topics up for discussion.
It has been another hot week of speculation surrounding Gnonto with reports from Italy his agent was in London to finalise a move to Everton on Wednesday.
However, that particular claim ended up wide of the mark, though there is no doubt Everton hold a strong interest in the player despite being on the verge of signing Arnaut Danjuma.
San Francisco 49ers Enterprises are keen to keep Gnonto at Leeds this season but are almost certain to have their resolve tested in a big way before the deadline.
Hay clarifies latest on Gnonto after mixed messages
Addressing Gnonto’s situation, Hay claimed there have also been mixed reports from both the Leeds and Everton end, with the latter denying an official offer has been made.
He said: “There is a lot of noise, particularly in Italy, about Gnonto and Everton. Nobody is denying that Everton like Gnonto. There’s mixed messages on this. At the Everton end they’re saying there hasn’t been a formal bid to Leeds.
“At the Leeds end the message that we’re getting is that there was a formal approach from Everton and that the valuation that is out there of about £15m was pretty accurate, and was also knocked back.
“They do have the advantage with him that he doesn’t have a release clause in his contact, so they’re not actually obliged to sell, but you know how it is.”
This feels like a saga that won’t go away this summer and it’s certainly going to be a long few weeks until it is decided one way or another.
Leeds are in a decent position to keep him given he has four years left on his deal and no relegation release clause, and as such, they need to hold firm in negotiations.
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