Towards the end of the summer transfer window, Leeds United were looking around for a forward, with Cody Gakpo touted as a potential recruit.
That never went through, and nor did an attempt to sign Bamba Dieng from Marseille, which everyone will recall ended up in dramatic fashion.
In the end, Leeds signed Wilfried Gnonto from FC Zürich, who had already earned himself some caps with Italy by that point, but it was made clear this was a signing for the future.
The international bided his time after switching to Elland Road, eventually given a chance to shine by Jesse Marsch a bit later on in the season, which he grasped with both hands.
The 19-year-old first came off the bench in the win against Liverpool, and then started the next fixture against AFC Bournemouth, where he picked up an assist in the first half.
He also played 45 minutes against Tottenham in the last game before the World Cup break, and it appears he is becoming a player the Leeds manager is ready to trust more and more as the season goes on.
Still, the move came about very late, and one of the men who helped it go through was agent Marco Busiello, who was asked about it by TuttoMercatoWeb.
He said: “It was an operation born and carried out together, and that made everyone happy. Leeds, because they had the opportunity to buy their first Italian player. The kid because he made the leap in quality, and also Zürich, capable of monetising one year before the expiry of his contract.”
