Everton forced to wait on Aston Villa as Willy Gnonto transfer from Leeds United reignited
Everton moving to sign Willy Gnonto “can only happen” after they complete the sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa, Sky Sports have reported.
According to a live update from Jessica Creighton on Sky Sports News (15 July) the Toffees are after the Leeds United winger after being “frustrated” the Whites’ refusal to sell him last summer.
But with talks still being finalised with Villa on Onana’s £50million exit any deal for the Elland Road attacker will have to wait for the big-money exit to go through first.
Leeds are said to not be “actively” trying to sell any players after selling teenage star Archie Gray to Tottenham.
Amadou Onana set for Everton exit to Villa Park
Unless there are some unforeseen set-backs in talks with Aston Villa or an unexpected hitch in Onana’s medical then the pursuit of Gnonto should be possible in a short timeframe.
The tests have been scheduled to take place following the Belgium star’s post-Euro 2024 break [Telegraph, 13 July] but the deal looks unlikely to drag on.
The 22-year-old’s exit will leave a substantial gap in the midfield options despite Tim Iroegbunam moving the opposite direction already this summer.
Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu could be brought in on loan in what looks an attractive possible move for the Toffees [Foot Mercato, 13 July].
But Sean Dyche clearly wanted Gnonto a year ago and with talks also opened with Napoli for Jesper Lindstrom according to Fabrizio Romano (13 July) there remains a focus on adding further attacking options during the window.
Jack Harrison has already made the switch from Elland Road on a second loan and Iliman Ndiaye has arrived on a permanent deal from Marseille.
But after pushing hard to no avail to land Italy international Gnonto, 20, previously it is probably unsurprising that Dyche and Kevin Thelwell would revisit the deal when the door may have been opened by Leeds’ loss in the play off final.
In other Everton news, a club are interested in selling another attacker to the Toffees after receiving an approach from Goodison Park.
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