Leeds United deliver £25m transfer verdict as Everton continue pursuit of Whites star

Everton have been told the signing of Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto would be “good business” as Daniel Farke looks to retain as much firepower as possible heading into their promotion push this coming season.

The Toffees have a long-standing interest in the Italy international, having previously tried to sign him last summer, but no deal was thrashed out. With Sean Dyche’s side avoiding relegation after being handed two point deductions for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) last season, it is clear that they intend to strengthen their attacking force, which has been sorely lacking much during the campaign.

With the sales of defender Ben Godfrey, winger Lewis Dobbin and a huge £50m exit for Amadou Onana to fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa, Dyche could be back in the market for Gnonto given his position Leeds currently.

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Their failure to secure promotion last season has left the club needing to repay a significant amount of transfer fees as well as a huge wage bill to be cut ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and with 13 departures already, it is clear. i’m doing everything i can to build up funds by cutting weight.

However, some of their top stars from last season have already been poached, with Archie Gray’s £40million move to Tottenham potentially the first of many vital players to leave Elland Road before the window closes. Crysencio Summerville has been heavily linked with moves to either AS Roma, West Ham or Chelsea, while Gnonto’s Everton links will not go away quietly.

Gnonto’s eight goals and two assists in all competitions under manager Daniel Farke were far from his best numbers, but former England midfielder Carlton Palmer believes that with his experience and talent at such a young age , a price tag of £25m would be a solid deal. for Toffees.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “(Wilfried) Gnonto had eight goals and two assists in 36 appearances last season and the 20-year-old never caught fire last season like (Crysencio ) Summerville, but he has a tremendous future ahead of him, he is a seriously talented player.

“Everton went after him before and couldn’t catch him. So a 20 year old at a £25m signing I think is a good deal as Everton are believed to be getting around £50m for Amadou. Onana, who goes to Aston Villa.

“He’s still 20 years old, so that would be a good deal for Leeds United, who only paid £3.8m for Gnonto in 2022. There have been a few problems with Gnonto, but he’s a young player. and he has enough and a lot of skills, he played in the top tier, I think this is a fair fee.

“I know Everton were for him before and they were looking to pay around £20m, then the fee dropped and then Leeds weren’t interested for around £10m to £15m. It’s good business for Leeds United, and a good bit of business by Everton.

“They are bringing in a talented player and they still have £25m to invest in the market from the sale of Onana. Good business with Leeds, reducing their wage bill further and giving them money to reinvest in the team, having already sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur.”