Everton pull out of Willy Gnonto pursuit after Leeds United claim they rejected major bid
Leeds United say they have rejected a £23million bid from Everton for Willy Gnonto although the Toffees’ position on that claim differs, according to The Athletic.
The outlet reported via their website on 6 August that after the arrival of Jesper Lindstrom from Napoli the need for a winger has been satisfied for now and the club have moved onto other targets.
There was said to be an Everton belief at one stage that a lower-cost deal was on the cards for 20-year-old forward Gnonto after positive steps had been made.
But once it became clear that former Elland Road teammate Crysencio Summerville was heading to West Ham the negotiations “grew difficult” and the Toffees then withdrew.
Everton move for Jesper Lindstrom successful from Napoli
It had been thought that the Toffees were still pushing to land Gnonto on top of Lindstrom this summer [Alan Myers, 24 July] despite Jack Harrison also returning from Elland Road on loan already.
Sean Dyche had wanted the Italian international last summer when he was virtually the only player the Whites could prevent from leaving amid an exodus of relegation release clause departures.
But given the money involved it seemed arguably excessive when the finances at Goodison Park are still precarious, even if the situation has improved from the peril of last season.
Summerville was once a Toffees target as well [Telegraph] but his Championship Player of the Season campaign has seen him head to the London Stadium in a deal worth somewhere over £25m thanks to yet another exit clause [Athletic, 5 August].
That unsurprisingly would make Daniel Farke and company all the more loath to lose Gnonto once again and Everton would surely be best served directing their focus elsewhere.
Left-back is thought to be the next priority [Myers, 30 July] after Jake O’Brien strengthened the centre-back grouping as the fifth arrival of the window from Lyon, while central midfield is also another need for Dyche after Amadou Onana’s exit.
Chelsea and Manchester City men are on the cards to fill the latter requirement [Harry Watkinson, 2 August] but transfer activity appears to have gone quiet at Goodison recently [Myers, 5 August], and the end of the Gnonto push appears to be part of that.
In other Everton news, there is a difference of opinion at the club over selling another star man before the deadline.
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.