It seems there’s no doubt Leeds United youngster Wilfried Gnonto will be playing for Italy in this international break.
That was confirmed by national team manager Roberto Mancini, who in a press conference (via Tutto Mercato Web), explained the situation they’re facing.
The coach was asked about how he’ll deal with the centre-forward issue, since they’re short of options for the position. He was quizzed about Tigre’s Mateo Retegui, and pointed out that the Leeds striker is one of the alternatives too.
“There’s Scamacca, there’s him and there’s Gnonto, he’s one of these three, hoping they’re fine,” said Roberto Mancini.
“Scamacca doesn’t have 90 minutes, he’s only played 65 minutes in the Cup. Gnonto is the only one who always plays in Premier League. And now we are following Mateo.”
Despite being only 19, Gnonto already has eight appearances for the national team, besides all the history he has with their youth ranks.
The striker left Inter Milan in 2020 to join FC Zurich on a free deal, but it was just last summer that Leeds managed to sign him for €4.5m.
The youngster, who has a contract with the Whites until 2027, already has four goals and two assists in 19 appearances for the club.
The Italian media is clearly sorry that he left the country at that age, and uses to point him out as a market option for Serie A sides, although it seems very unlikely that Leeds will let him go anytime soon.
