Leeds United releases a future update on Wilfried Gnonto.
A ‘high-profile’ star may have to leave Leeds in January.
Wilfried Gnonto may be leaving Leeds United in the January transfer window, and transfer insider Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT which other players could be involved in “high-profile” exits.
The 2023–24 season has started unevenly for Daniel Farke‘s team, as an erratic run of performances has shattered their aspirations of making an instant return to the Premier League. The West Yorkshire team will be eager to hold onto their top player when the January transfer window opens early in the next year, even though they are still very much in the running for automatic promotion.
Leeds’s hopes of promotion hinge on their transfer plan.
Leeds‘s new season hasn’t exactly gotten off to a great start. After hiring Championship veteran Farke in the summer, Leeds had great expectations, but they struggled to start and have subsequently had a string of unreliable performances.
One of the best examples of this would be their midweek loss to Stoke City, where Patrick Bamford had a chance to win the game from the penalty spot but missed it, allowing the Potters to win in the final seconds of play. It was the Whites’ third loss in their first 13 games of the season, which does not necessarily translate into form that will win them promotion.
Leeds is still in the playoff slots despite this, but as the gap between them and the top two gets wider every week, it appears as though they could have to make do with a top six position. Though Gnonto is one of the players drawing a lot of attention, there is a hint that Leeds’ team could be looted for their greatest talent ahead of the January transfer window.
Dean Jones’s update on Leeds United and Wilfried Gnonto
When asked which Premier League teams are interested in Leeds’ finest players, transfer insider Jones said that Gnonto was one of them and that he might leave Elland Road in January.
Regarding the remaining ‘high-profile’ players, the dependable source thinks Farke and company are certain they can hold onto them after the January window;
“I believe their goal is to maintain as much stability as possible heading into the second part of the season. Obviously, the most well-known one to keep an eye out for will be the Gnonto one. We are all aware of how dangerously close he came to trying to get out of the club and wanting to leave during the summer. I suppose we will find out in January just how much Leeds has been able to persuade him to the contrary.
However, I believe we’ll have to wait until this summer for the other essential players since Leeds needs the majority of this team to stay intact for the time being. It will be difficult for them to exit the Championship, so having a change of personnel midway through the season is surely not going to help.
Is it now time for Gnonto?
Gnonto’s departure from Leeds seemed inevitable at one point, making it one of the most talked-about tales of the summer transfer season. On the day of the deadline, journalist Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT that Everton was still pushing for a transfer, which of course fell through.
Gnonto was reportedly pushing for a move to Everton, even going so far as to submit a transfer request, according to a report from Fabrizio Romano back in the summer. Even though Farke has already welcomed him back into the lineup, there is still a chance that the Italian international will decide to pursue a move in January, which would leave the Whites lacking in a crucial attacking position.
Leeds – record sales and Fee
Raphinha (Barcelona) – £47m
Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City) – £42m
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) – £39m
Tyler Adams (Bournemouth) – £23m
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Atletico Madrid) – £14m
All stats according to Transfermarkt
Leeds’ upcoming schedule
Naturally, the future of their best players may hinge on Leeds‘ performance in the league, as players’ likelihood of leaving may vary based on their position in the standings.
Even though the season is just three months old, Leicester City, the league leaders and favourites to advance, will visit West Yorkshire for a potentially pivotal matchup at Elland Road the following week. In a matchup between two of the Premier League’s relegated teams from the previous campaign, Leeds could just need to win to get closer to the top two.
After that, Plymouth Argyle travels to Elland Road for a long trip before to the next international break. November is then concluded with a Yorkshire derby against Rotherham United and a home match against Swansea City.
December kicks off with a crucial game against Middlesbrough. After that, Leeds plays two straight away games against fellow playoff contenders Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.
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