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Scout: Leeds United got good deal for Willy Gnonto this summer
Leeds United have secured the services of Willy Gnonto from Zurich this summer for an absolute bargain, according to Oliver Zesiger.
Zesiger, a Swiss Head Researcher for Football Manager and professional scout, has claimed that the Swiss side wanted £8million for the Italy international.
However, on a chaotic deadline day, Leeds secured the 18-year-old’s services for a bargain of £4.5million.
Zesiger told the Yorkshire Evening Post, “I think technically he is a very good player. He has a burst of acceleration. He is small but not weak. Physically he has a certain type of body that’s enough for the Premier League. He does have dribbling capabilities to beat the man and to go past the man combined with his acceleration.
“He’s not made to be a centre forward, yet [due to his size]. But as a second striker, because he can face the goal, he can play off the centre-forward, do one-twos and pass the ball to wing players and arrive late in the box, I think that’s his best position.
“Zurich’s chairman wanted ten million for him. I’m talking 10 million euros which would be 8 million pounds. And it’s unlikely that he gets this amount, because Willy Gnonto only had one year of his contract [remaining].
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“I think it’s a good deal for Zurich and for Leeds because 4.5 million for Leeds [as] a Premier League club, if it doesn’t work out you just write it off, it’s not a lot of money. If it works out, [they have] totally underpaid for a great talent.”
Great bargain
Leeds were in bit of a fix as the window looked to be closing as they had not got the striker they desired from the start of the window.
Hwang Hee-chan was not being let go by Wolves while Leeds failed to match PSV’s valuation for Cody Gakpo, despite leading the race for him.
Then, it seemed like Bamba Dieng was set to arrive at Elland Road, but even that move fizzled out as Nice hijacked it at the eleventh hour to sign him.
This left Leeds with Gnonto as the last possible option and as he was a player Jesse Marsch admired, it did make sense to go in for him.
At 18, he’s already a full Italy international and will only get better – so Leeds may have invested in a real prospect for a relative pittance.
He may soon be ready to challenge for the first team so Patrick Bamford needs to watch his shoulder as he could be axed for Gnonto if he does not perform regularly.
In other Leeds United news, Thomas Frank has been gushing over Leeds United ace Brenden Aaronson.