Leeds United tipped to 'move on' Wilfried Gnonto despite injury comeback
Leeds United have been tipped to sell winger Wilfried Gnonto if a “decent” offer is received.
The 22-year-old is in his fourth season as a Leeds player, yet has been at the centre of transfer speculation on a number of occasions.
Most notably, the Italy-capped wideman handed in a transfer request in 2023 before backing down from his demands.
More recently, it was suggested Gnonto could move on if a suitable offer for his services is tabled.
Wilfried Gnonto claim
This has been supported by former scout Mick Brown, who believes Leeds could be ready to part with the versatile attacker.
He told Football Insider: “I think Leeds are ready to move him on, yes. If they get a decent offer for him in January or at some stage it will be something they look at, because he seems to be out of favour now under Daniel Farke.
“I’ve always thought of him as a 15-minute player, he comes in and gives you a little burst of what he can do, but then you don’t see him for the next 20 minutes.
“He’s got real pace, but he doesn’t show it enough, and he’s never quite shown enough to make him undroppable at Leeds despite a lot of praise for him.
“Gnonto is a talented player, no doubt, but he’s a bit like a few of the players at Leeds where they’re not quite good enough or consistent enough at this level.
“And now from what I’ve seen, it looks like the manager is starting to feel the same. He’s not been part of the starting XI, and it seems he’s not going to be part of his plans for the future either, so it would make sense, if there was interest, for them to move him on.”
Wilfried Gnonto’s competition
Gnonto made 43 league appearances last term as Leeds clinched the Championship title. He started in 26 of those games, facing stiff competition out wide from the likes of Daniel James and Manor Solomon.
Solomon has since departed Elland Road but Noah Okafor has arrived, while Jack Harrison is back in the fold and Brenden Aaronson has been used out wide.
Gnonto only recently returned from an injury lay-off, making the bench and then stepping off it as Leeds were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Italian, who could well become a regular again as he regains match sharpness.
However, if he cannot force his way back into Daniel Farke’s XI, speculation will only intensify.