Sean Dyche has been quoted by The Echo as saying Everton were never really that close to completing a deal for Leeds United attacker Willy Gnonto – despite deadline-day reports suggesting the opposite.
Gnonto, 19, refused to play for Leeds in games against Shrewsbury, Birmingham City and West Brom but has since returned. He’s started three in a row, against Ipswich, Salford City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Everton were linked throughout the window – having already got a deal done for Jack Harrison, on loan. Italian outlet TMW claimed that Gnonto’s agent had travelled to London to strike a deal for the winger.
But it did not work, if the reports were true. Dyche says that Everton were hardly close to getting a deal done for the wide man, with Leeds rejecting bids and remaining stubborn in their asking price of Gnonto.
“We weren’t close enough to any situation. The truth is that certain parameters and guidelines is where we are at. The club is not where it was two or three years ago, that is apparent,” Dyche told The Echo.
“The transfer window makes news, there are some very good players here. That gets overlooked. I believe in what is here, I believe in the players we have got here,” Dyche continued, over the weekend.
Dyche says Everton never close to completing deal for Gnonto
It is a sign of the times. Reports suggested that Everton were inches away from completing a £38.5m deal for him, as per Italian site Sports Mediaset. The rumour mill does get carried away on deadline day.
Whatever the claims, Dyche says Everton were not close and right now, Gnonto is with Leeds until the next transfer window at the very least. He has to win back fans and show clubs why he is such a talent.
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