Willy Gnonto: Leeds Utd make U-turn after Farke showdown talks revealed in major Phil Hay update
Leeds United have restored Willy Gnonto to group training after he held talks with Daniel Farke and other officials at the club, Phil Hay has revealed.
Gnonto recently handed in a transfer request to Leeds after refusing to play for them since the opening day of the Championship season. After their relegation from the Premier League, he is keen to consider a step back up to the top flight.
Everton have failed with a few offers for the Italy international, who Leeds have maintained is not for sale.
Despite their stance on his departure, Leeds have been making Gnonto train individually in recent days. However, The Athletic‘s Leeds expert Hay has revealed that the teenager is now back with the main group.
He is said to have held talks with head coach Farke and CEO Angus Kinnear, which has led to him being reinstated.
What it all means for his future in the transfer market remains unclear, but on the pitch, he could now be in contention to appear for Leeds in their next game, against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Gnonto’s contract at Elland Road is due to last until 2027. He has made 29 appearances for the club in all competitions since joining them from FC Zurich last summer.
Most of the other players who arrived in the same transfer window as Gnonto have since left Leeds. Several have taken advantage of release clauses in their contracts, but the former Inter academy player does not have one.
It means his future is firmly in the hands of his current employers, who have just over a week to keep hold of him until the transfer window closes.
Gnonto’s agent has taken aim at Leeds for ‘blocking’ his exit for a Premier League club. Whether they have Gnonto on board for their push for promotion back to the top tier is still something of an uncertain topic.
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