Willy Gnonto relationship with Leeds United ‘completely broken’ as Everton terms agreed – Fabrizio Romano
Willy Gnonto’s relationship with Leeds United is “completely broken” now and terms are “already agreed” with Everton, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian journalist reacted on Twitter Friday night (11 August) after his 19-year-old compatriot at Elland Road was the subject of an official statement from the Whites reiterating their refusal to sell him, and calling his unavailability for the Saturday trip to Birmingham City an “internal disciplinary matter”.
Gnonto had already missed the midweek game with Shrewsbury as he wants to be able to talk to clubs over a move, but has been told by Leeds he won’t be sold.
Everton have had two bids, with at least one worth £16million, rejected for the Italy international and he now wants to leave for Goodison Park.
Beyond repair?
It is hard to see how Gnonto comes back from this at Leeds United to be reintegrated into the squad given how dramatically things have fallen apart between him and the hierarchy there in a matter of days.
The Toffees have been chasing the teenager all summer and look to be the only side who have actually made an offer to sign him, despite various clubs in England and Europe thought to be interested.
Daniel Farke is faced with potentially losing multiple key members of his squad before the deadline passes, thanks to relegation release clauses.
So they look to be taking a hard line with Gnonto in light of the fact that he is one player who doesn’t have such a contingency in his contract, although Sean Dyche would clearly like to add him to his options all the same.
A big enough fee would surely change minds at Elland Road given the attacker won’t be much use to anybody if he is suspended and not playing.
But whether Everton have enough cash to prove persuasive is one question, or alternatively whether Leeds would be willing to accommodate a suitably structured deal when they are clearly unhappy with the situation, is another.
In other Everton news, there appears to be “dysfunction” within the transfer strategy as a deal is being worked on for a striker that not everyone at the club supports or even knows about.