Willy Gnonto beings Leeds United ‘reintegration’ after transfer request and refusal to play amidst Everton interest
Manager Daniel Farke revealed last week the Italian forward was training on his own and changing in a seperate room after making himself unavailable for the Whites’ last three matches and handing in a transfer request to try to force a move away.
But Farke has been down this road before with Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell at Norwich City. Both were left out of the squad in August 2020 after demanding moves, but were successfully brought back to play key parts a Championship-winning squad.
Gnonto has rejoined the first-team group at Thorp Arch after talks with Farker and chief executive Angus Kinnear, and could face Ipswich Town in Saturday’s game at Portman Road.
Farke said earlier in the month he would only pick players committed to playing for Leeds, so Gnonto will have to convince him of that first.
Fans have shown their anger towards the striker, with one banner at Friday’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion depicting him as a baby. Another, presumably aimed at others as well as Luis Sinisterra makes himself unavailable, simply read “Play or Farke off”.
Leeds have maintained throughout the window that Gnonto, who has four years left on his contract, was not for sale, and the Italy international’s agent revealed earlier this week they had refused to entertain offers from Premier League clubs.
Everton are thought to have made multiple bids for the 19-year-old, and Atalanta have been credited with an interest after selling Rasmus Hjoland to Manchester United.