Ben Jacobs shares what he’s heard about Everton move for Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto in January transfer window
Ben Jacobs says a move to Everton might be “quite risky” for Wilfried Gnonto should he depart Leeds United in the January transfer window.
The Toffees had multiple bids for the Italy international rejected in the summer but could reignite their interest this month [Alan Myers].
However, with Everton at risk of relegation from the Premier League, and Leeds hoping to head the opposite direction, Jacobs insists the decision is not straightforward.
“My information is still the same in that – after the whole saga with Everton and even though that interest may not have gone away – Leeds are very intent on keeping Gnonto this window,” Jacobs told GiveMeSport [7 January].
“Given Everton’s 10-point deduction, subject to an appeal, a move might be quite risky if it became feasible. You get to the point where Gnonto would have to question who is more likely to be in the Premier League next season – Leeds or Everton.
“It is probably still Everton because they’re not in the relegation zone and they might get their 10 points back, but you just don’t know.”
Not feasible
The biggest question here is whether Everton actually have the funds to afford Gnonto, who was valued at £30million by Leeds in the summer [BBC Sport].
It is highly unlikely that is the case, so this transfer link is a non-starter. However, if an agreement could somehow be reached, it would then be down to Gnonto to decide what he wants to do.
Everton may only be one point above the relegation zone, but they would have been 12th if not for the contentious points deduction a couple of months ago.
The Toffees still have work to do to retain their top-flight status following a recent disappointing run of results, but Sean Dyche’s men have showed they are capable of stringing a winning run together.
Having Gnonto in attack would undoubtedly bolster Everton’s chances of finishing well clear of danger, but the deal just does not look feasible at this moment in time.
However, if Leeds fail to get promoted and Everton stay up, this transfer may be back on the cards in the summer.
In other Everton news, Paul Brown has questioned a “strange” transfer development at Goodison Park.