Leeds United have reportedly received an offer from a Premier League club which, if accepted, would make the player in question the sixth most expensive sale in Leeds’ history.
The club’s new ownership group, the 49ers, have made it clear that they need to sell some players this summer to generate funds and repay a significant portion of the £190 million owed in player transfers to other clubs.
Among the players attracting interest over the past year are Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Ilia Gruev, Illan Meslier, Junior Firpo, Pascal Struijk, and Italy winger Willy Gnonto. The diminutive winger, who impressed during his initial stint in the Premier League in 2023-24, struggled for starts under boss Daniel Farke in the first half of the season.
Premier League club table bid for Leeds United star Willy Gnonto:
The 20-year-old Gnonto is expected to leave Elland Road in the coming weeks. Leeds blocked his departure last summer when he pushed for a move and refused to play in three games for the club in August.
Nottingham Forest have now reportedly made a bid worth £16.9 million for the former Inter Milan and Zurich winger. Leeds have yet to decide whether to accept the offer, but a decision is anticipated soon. Accepting the bid would make Gnonto the sixth most expensive sale in the club’s history.
Who is above Gnonto in terms of Leeds’ biggest sales?
The £16.9 million fee for Gnonto would surpass the £15 million received from Burnley for Chris Wood and the £12 million Atletico Madrid paid for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the 1999-2000 season.
In fourth and fifth places are the recent transfers of Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra to Bournemouth. Colombian winger Sinisterra moved for a fee of £20 million, while USA captain Adams reportedly cost Bournemouth £23 million.
Leeds’ most expensive sale for two decades was Rio Ferdinand’s move, which brought in £30 million. More recently, Kalvin Phillips’ transfer to Manchester City fetched £45 million, while Raphinha’s move to Barcelona remains the club’s biggest sale at a staggering £55 million.
If the sale of Gnonto goes through, it would not only provide a financial boost but also align with the club’s strategy to manage their debts and rebuild for the future.