This summer looks like it will be part two of the Leeds United, Everton and Wilfried Gnonto saga.
The Toffees are in the market for new wingers despite having already signed Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds last month, a deal they could yet turn permanent before the end of the window.
However, Everton have lost both Arnaut Danjuma and Lewis Dobbin so far this summer, leaving vacancies for potentially two wide men to come into the club.
Gnonto is clearly a long-term target of Everton’s given how desperate they were to sign him almost 12 months ago.
They saw four offers knocked back by Leeds but their interest has not gone away, with talks having got back underway for a potential deal this summer.
What Gnonto has told Leeds behind-the-scenes
Gnonto certainly has to approach this summer’s interest carefully given how much he tarnished his reputation last August.
The Italian was very much a fan favourite at Elland Road until his attempts at forcing through a move saw him refuse to play in three matches and hand in a transfer request.
Daniel Farke promised that he would not be given a third chance under him at Leeds if history was to repeat itself, though that does not mean Gnonto is not once again keen on the move.
Speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey says Leeds have been told by Gnonto that he wants to leave, with Everton currently fronting the queue.
He said: “Yeah, he does want to move and he has told Leeds that. There is interest in the Premier League from a few teams, but price tag dependent. Everton are front of the queue, they like him and have a long-term interest in him.
“He’s not going to sign a new deal at Leeds now, and there is also a bit of interest in Italy as well, from Como. I think he quite fancies staying in the Premier League so looks more likely that will be deal that happens. Not 100 per cent for Everton, but they are certainly leading the chase at the moment.”
Everton’s chances of signing Gnonto revealed
As Bailey mentioned, while Everton are currently leading the race, it is by no means a certainty Gnonto ends up on Merseyside.
That is because Everton are of the belief that a deal will be difficult to get done with Leeds, which they will know all to well following the Whites’ resistance last summer.
An asking price of £22 million has been touted, but deals are always far more complicated than simply paying the money and getting the player.
Leeds will be keen to ensure the structure of the deal is right so they have the immediate cash to replace him, and whether Everton can do that, remains to be seen.
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