Wilfried Gnonto ‘has only one goal’ this summer and that is to leave Leeds United, with Everton currently at the top of his list of suitors.
That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport, who cover the player today and developing saga around him as he tries to force an exit from Elland Road.
The newspaper reports that Gnonto ‘chases the Premier League’ in an effort to ‘save his place in the national team’ ahead of the Euros next summer.
GDS state that Gnonto ‘has only one goal’ this summer and that is to leave Leeds and to do this he is ‘trying to win the tug of war’ with Leeds.
The problem, at the moment, is that the Championship side are not willing to let the youngster leave after a summer of departures and would instead ‘like to bet on him to return’ to the top flight at the first time of asking.
That clashes with Gnonto’s desire. He has ‘no intention of remaining stuck’ in England’s second flight because he knows if he does it could cost him a place in the national team.
His latest effort to get out was his transfer request to Leeds’ hierarchy but that has been treated as well as Everton’s two bids for him.
According to the newspaper, the Toffees remain keen on the player and their latest bid which was worth €30m plus bonuses, was rejected by Leeds.
They’re refusing to change their mind for now, making it clear to Gnonto and his suitors that the player is not for sale.
Gnonto ‘could be saved’ by Everton regardless, particularly as the player has been ‘winking’ at them all summer. The Blues have opened talks with Leeds and continue to push despite seeing two bids rejected.
That is certainly what Gnonto hopes will happen in the last two weeks of the window as his mind is made up and ‘the final is already written’.
For him it’s ‘goodbye and thank you Leeds’ and time to return to the Premier League for the sake of his international chances. Those in charge at Elland Road still disagree, though.