Report: £18m Leeds star does not have relegation release clause in contract, could see him stay

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Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto does not have a relegation release clause in his contract.

That is according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, who report Gnonto will only depart Elland Road if his valuation is met this summer, though it remains unclear at this stage what price that will be.

Gnonto has already been linked with a number of clubs at the top level after making a name for himself in the Premier League following his move from FC Zurich on deadline day almost 12 months ago.

Fiorentina and AC Milan have been the latest clubs mentioned as potential destinations this week, but have reportedly been put off by Leeds’ asking price of around £18 million.

The 19-year-old is expected to miss the start of Leeds’ pre-season next month after being named in Italy U21s’ squad for the upcoming EUROs in Georgia.

Gnonto does not have release clause

This is good news and puts Leeds in an excellent position to keep him as there is absolutely no reason to sell if an offer isn’t high enough.

Southampton are set to command in excess of £40 million for both Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse this summer, and that is the sort of benchmark Leeds must use on their best players.

Given his age, a year of playing regularly and scoring goals could be crucial to Gnonto’s development so there really should not be any rush to move on so quickly.

The Italian absolutely has the ability to rip the Championship apart, as was evident when Leeds defeated Cardiff City 5-2 earlier this year in the FA Cup, where he netted a brace.

A frontline that includes at least two of any of the likes of Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville or Luis Sinisterra is a prospect that will have Leeds licking their lips.