Wilfried Gnonto appears to have found an out at Elland Road and will make his way to the Premier League with West Ham this month, as revealed by Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri via Twitter.
The Italian was a hot topic in the summer transfer window as he seemingly looked to force a move out of Elland Road. A prospective deal which would have seen him move to Everton eventually fell through, and he soon returned to training with the Championship outfit. West Ham have been linked with a move for the talented winger, but the Hammers have also looked at Jack Clarke of Sunderland as a potential target in the past.
Since his reinstatement at the Championship outfit, Gnonto has struggled for minutes, with most of his minutes coming from the bench. He has made 21 appearances, contributing to two goals, scoring and assisting once. Part of his frustration and desire to leave can be attributed to his wish to compete for Italy at the European Championships this summer. After becoming the nation’s youngest goalscorer last year, the forward retained his place in the national setup despite the club’s relegation.
Leeds have already identified a replacement for Gnonto in Burnley’s Manuel Benson. After signing for Burnley in 2022, Benson played an integral role in their promotion campaign from the Championship, scoring 12 goals in 33 games. However, since their return to the Premier League, minutes have been hard to come by this season, and numerous clubs in the Championship, including Hull City and Southampton, have looked at a loan deal for the 26-year-old, who has only managed 70 minutes of football in the top flight this season.
Writer’s View
The talent Gnonto possesses is undeniable. However, his attitude has left people questioning the player he is ever since trying to force his way out last summer. It would still have been tough to break into the attacking lineup Daniel Farke has at his disposal. Minutes are vital for the youngster as he looks to cement his spot in Italy’s national team this summer, meaning a move back to the top flight is best for him.