Scout claims Leeds could receive astronomical fee for Gnonto

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Zurich chief scout Thomas Bickel has told The Sun on Sunday (12/2; page 60) that he can see a club paying an astronomical fee for Willy Gnonto, suggesting that the Leeds United star is a player who helps teams win league titles.

There is absolutely no question that signing Gnonto was an accidental masterstroke from Leeds. As reported by The Athletic, the Whites brought forward plans to sign the Italian once they failed to land either Cody Gakpo or Bamba Dieng on deadline day last summer.

Leeds already had Gnonto on the radar. But it does appear that they were looking at signing the teenager in a later window. Thankfully, he ended up signing at the start of this campaign.

Gnonto backed to leave Leeds for astronomical fee

Gnonto has arguably been our player of the season so far. He has taken the mantle from Raphinha for being the player Leeds look to to make something happen. And he has often delivered.

With the Whites languishing just above the bottom three, it is getting harder and harder to see Gnonto staying for too long. And Bickel – who worked to bring Gnonto to Zurich from Inter – backed the forward to net Leeds a huge profit in the future.

“He has the face of a little angel, but is a defender’s worst nightmare despite his small and stocky physique,” he told The Sun.

“Now the transfer market is absolutely crazy, I can see someone paying an astronomical price at some stage – he’s the sort of player you need to win the league.”

Whites must stay up to get marquee fee for forward

It says everything about Leeds’ problems that our hopes appear to largely rest on the performances of a 19-year-old who arrived for less than £4 million.

Several players have been brilliant this season. It is almost baffling at times to see our position in the league. However, in simple terms, we are struggling because the raft of defensive mistakes earlier in the season, as well as the inability to find the back of the net.

Gnonto is often providing that quality we sometimes lack in the final third. And that could make all the difference come the end of the season – if we are going to keep ourselves in the top-flight.

It does feel that we are going to lose Gnonto sooner rather than later. But obviously, remaining in the Premier League is imperative if we are going to get that astronomical fee.