Everton set for crucial Wilfried Gnonto talks for new transfer after Che Adams
Everton are set to make an improved final bid of close to £30million for Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto, with crucial talks planned between the two sides over the coming days, according to Jacque Talbot.
Leeds have knocked back multiple previous offers from Everton, the most recent being around £20m upfront and £5m in add-ons.
The Football Transfers correspondent expects the Merseyside outfit, who are also nearing a £15m deal for Southampton’s Che Adams, to try once more for the Italy international ahead of the window closing.
Saga nearing its end?
The opening two games of the season – a 1-0 loss to Fulham and a 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa – have gone a long way to highlighting what every Everton supporter has known for a while: New strikers are needed.
Bringing in Adams from Southampton is a start, while Youssef Chermiti looks as though he could come good with time after arriving from Sporting CP.
Gnonto is clearly the marquee signing Sean Dyche’s side craves, however, and they are refusing to give up in their pursuit of the 19-year-old.
Leeds have said more than once that Gnonto is not for sale, although every player in world football is of course available if the right offer is made.
Many were surprised Leeds knocked back Everton’s most recent bid, but they will surely now shake hands with the Toffees and take the £30m on the table.
If that offer does indeed come in, it will be a huge profit on £3.8m paid to sign Gnonto from FC Zurich last year [Daily Mail].
Gnonto may only have started 14 Premier League games to date, scoring just twice, but he has been identified as the ideal player to lead Everton’s attack.
After months of speculation, the transfer saga may now be nearing its endpoint.
In other Everton news, Martin Keown singled out a Toffees player as the only positive in the loss to Villa.