Newcastle United, Everton, and Napoli are all eyeing Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto, according to TEAMtalk.
Gnonto had a strong season in the Championship, scoring eight goals in 36 appearances as Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion. The 20-year-old reportedly expressed a desire to leave Leeds last summer following their relegation from the Premier League, with Everton making several unsuccessful bids for him at that time.
This summer, Everton has maintained their interest, but Newcastle United appears to have surged ahead in the race to sign Gnonto. The player is keen on a move to the Premier League, and Newcastle’s pursuit of him has reportedly outpaced Everton’s efforts.
Leeds is facing challenges in retaining their key players this transfer window, especially after failing to secure promotion. Archie Gray has already moved to Tottenham in a significant transfer, and Crysencio Summerville, last season’s Championship player of the year, is also attracting considerable interest from multiple clubs. Newcastle was previously linked with Summerville, valued at £40 million, but now their focus seems to have shifted to Gnonto.
Newcastle, backed by Saudi ownership, is now reportedly leading the charge to sign Gnonto for around £25 million. It remains uncertain what fee Leeds would demand for the former Zurich player, but Newcastle’s financial capabilities could facilitate such a move.
Newcastle is specifically targeting a right-winger this summer, as evidenced by their discussions regarding the potential sale of Miguel Almiron to a Saudi Pro-League club. With Almiron’s modest goal return last season, manager Eddie Howe views the right-wing position as an area for improvement.
Gnonto, once praised as ‘special’ by former Leeds assistant manager Michael Skubala, is seen as a promising candidate to replace Almiron. His experience on the right flank makes him a practical choice compared to Summerville, who typically operates on the left wing.
In summary, Newcastle United’s pursuit of Wilfried Gnonto highlights their ambition to strengthen their squad with young, talented players ahead of the new season, while Leeds United faces the challenge of retaining their top talents amidst interest from Premier League clubs.
