Everton ready to ‘cash in’ on Leeds United relegation amid ‘bargain fee’ Willy Gnonto transfer update
Everton believe they can complete the signing of Willy Gnonto from Leeds United for a “bargain fee” according to talkSPORT.
The Italy international is one of various Elland Road players that the Toffees are targeting after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League.
Indications from Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla (3 July) are that Everton are ahead of the game in the race to sign the 19-year-old, having made early moves over three weeks ago.
He had suggested that Leeds would want more than £20million for Gnonto, and Guardian Australia’s Friday print edition (7 July, page.50) have stated his asking price is at least £40m.
Yet talkSPORT report the same day that the Toffees are looking to “cash in” on the relegation and while Gnonto is not thought to have a relegation release clause “Leeds are under pressure to sell” the attacker who is also interesting Chelsea and wants to move.
The update says: “Italian speedster Gnonto is looking to leave Elland Road and the Toffees believe they can land the 19-year-old for a bargain fee.”
Transfer boost or wishful thinking?
If Gnonto doesn’t have a release clause then he seems like one of the few players that Leeds wouldn’t be under particular pressure to shift.
It would certainly be a major boost of Everton were to be able to push a deal over the line, but financially it could be a difficult one.
A £40m-plus fee might seem a bit steep for a second-tier side to want, especially if Gnonto himself has decided he wants to return to the Premier League.
But he was a bargain arrival at Elland Road himself last September deadline day and wasn’t expected to be the breakout star in the top flight that he proved to be, so he is unlikely to be on a contract that the Whites are desperate to get out from under.
If there is indeed a belief that Everton can close a cut-price deal then they clearly should do everything they can to do so in order to finally provide Sean Dyche with some attacking reinforcements.
But it certainly would be a surprise development if the youngster did depart for a “bargain fee”, so while the club appear to have positioned themselves well in this race it is ultimately going to come down to money one way or the other, and teammate Rodrigo may be the one that is more feasible.
In other Everton news, an English club is ready to sign another Toffees talent after snapping up one already.