Everton reignite interest in Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto
Everton are set to reignite their interest in Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto before the end of the window, according to Football Transfers.
Writing on their website (9 August), the news outlet report that the Toffees are ready to try again for the Italy international after having a £15m bid rejected earlier in the window.
Leeds were said to have closed the door on an exit, but Everton are ready to try again although they have lined up alternative targets in case things don’t go their way.
“Everton are looking to revisit a move for Leeds winger Wilfried Gnonto, while personal terms won’t be an issue,” they wrote.
“The club have laid the groundwork for a move for Gnonto since late spring, with FootballTransfers revealing the club’s interest in the player. During this time, his agent, Claudio Vigorelli, has already had talks with Everton and meetings took place at the side’s headquarters.
“Everton will look to make another move for Gnonto but have set up the likes of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Tete as alternatives.”
Get it done
Everton need attackers who have shown they are capable of playing in the Premier League, and Gnonto fits that bill perfectly.
An Italy international despite being only 19-years-old, he has got the world at his feet and would immediately improve the team going forward with his pace, creativity and decisiveness in the final third.
Leeds’ reported asking price of just over £20m seems a bit steep for someone so young and with so little experience of first-team football, but we’ve all seen how good he can be.
It’s the type of investment that would be seen as smart rather than a gamble, similar to that of Amadou Onana last summer and would make us stronger.
If they’ve given a price, then at this stage we’re better off just paying it and getting a deal done rather than waiting around and haggling, only to be left with our hands empty at the end of it all.
In other Everton news, Rio Ferdinand makes relegation prediction ahead of Premier League opener.