Liverpool have entered the race to sign Leeds United’s 19-year-old forward Wilfried Gnonto.
Having just been relegated, Leeds are at risk of losing some of their top players this summer. After showing plenty of promise last season, Gnonto fits that category.
Already a full international, the Italian will want to make sure he doesn’t slip out of Roberto Mancini’s thinking ahead of Euro 2024. And with that in mind, Calciomercato carry some interesting quotes from Gnonto’s agent.
“We are focused on the European Under-21 Championship, then we will talk with Leeds and see,” said agent Claudio Vigorelli. “There will be no shortage of options, but given the fantastic experience in the Premier League the idea would be to continue in that direction.”
Should he decide to leave Elland Road, it’s claimed that Gnonto wouldn’t be short of suitors. If the Premier League is his wish, then Liverpool and Everton are both reportedly willing to make that happen for him. The Merseyside rivals are claimed to have ‘set their sights’ on Gnonto.
But the former Zurich man is also said to have admirers back home in Italy. Fiorentina are claimed to be ‘above all,’ but AC Milan are another reportedly ‘evaluating’ the forward.
Gnonto on Liverpool’s radar
As Liverpool scout the tournament for a number of midfielders, Gnonto may now be another for fans to watch at the ongoing U21 Euros.
Although he’s already earned 11 caps for Italy, the Leeds man is turning out for the youngsters this summer. He even scored in their last game, a 3-2 win over Switzerland.
Not that that should be a surprise to supporters. Reds fans should already know what to expect from Gnonto. He burst onto the Premier League stage last year, impressing in the early parts of the season after a £3.8m move from FC Zurich.
As the campaign went on, the teenager seemed to get even better. Back in January, Gary Neville claimed via The Daily Mail that Gnonto’s display against Aston Villa was ‘very unusual’ in its maturity.
“To see someone so mature, so young is very unusual in that position,” Neville said on Sky Sports’ coverage of the game.
“Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of teammates, really good honestly.”
Like many of his Leeds teammates, Gnonto did fade as the season wore on. As relegation loomed for the Peacocks, the little Italian found himself in and out of the team. But that shouldn’t take away from what a prospect he is. We can’t necessarily see where he fits at Liverpool right now, but we’d be intrigued to find out.
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