Everton given fresh hope in pursuit of Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto after Fabrizio Romano update

Everton target Wilfried Gnonto is still hopeful of securing an exit from Leeds United this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Toffees have seen multiple bids for the 19-year-old Italy international knocked back this summer, with the Whites insistent that the player is not for sale, despite him handing in an official transfer request and refusing to play.

However, Leeds boss Daniel Farke confirmed that he was willing to give the player a second chance, in quotes reported by the club’s official Twitter page (24 August).

And Romano has now offered an update on Everton’s pursuit of Gnonto while suggesting that they do have another target should a deal not materialise.

“(Kamaldeen) Sulemana is one of the players they are monitoring. This is the reality because a deal for Wilfried Gnonto is very difficult,” the reliable Italian journalist told GIVEMESPORT (26 August).

“Leeds have always maintained their position that they don’t want to sell the player. Now he is training again with the squad, so it’s getting complicated.

“The player still hopes for a move in the final days of the window, but it’s very difficult with Leeds.”

Pay up

From a Leeds point of view it seems strange to keep hold of a player who has so publically expressed his desire to leave the club, and it will be interesting to see how supporters react to him if he is to play at Elland Road once again. Meanwhile, from an Everton point of view, if the club were to pay up, surely this is an achievable transfer.

Gnonto is clearly willing to force his way out, as he has so far demonstrated throughout the summer, and eventually, the club would surely reach a breaking point. Dyche is in desperate need of firepower going forward and the youngster would certainly provide plenty of that.

Nonetheless, it seems the Championship side are desperate to keep hold of the player who has no interest in being there, and as Romano stated, the deal would be tricky.

With time running out, perhaps it is best they move on to new targets.