EXCLUSIVE: Wilfried Gnonto willing to make Everton switch

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 20 Jul 2023 07:50 BST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Wilfried Gnonto has expressed his willingness to join Everton, with the Merseyside club having put in the groundwork to clinch the Leeds winger since April.

FootballTransfers revealed Everton's interest in Gnonto in May and since then talks have continued. A fee still needs to be agreed between the sides after the Toffees' first bid was rejected.

We understand the attacker's representative, Claudio Vigorelli, was at Finch Farm earlier this year when the Goodison outfit were still fighting relegation.

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Everton have already seen a £15 million approach for Gnonto knocked back by Leeds but it is believed that the side will make another offer. Leeds’ valuation of Gnanto is closer to £19m and it is thought that a comprise could be reached.

The Whites ideally want to keep Gnonto, having already lost Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Weston McKennie ahead of their Championship season. That appears impossible, however.

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Gnonto joined Leeds from FC Zurich for around £4m last summer, where he shone for the Yorkshire side despite their relegation.

The 19-year-old scored two goals and provided four assists in 24 league appearances.

Wayne Rooney on managing Everton

DC United manager Wayne Rooney spoke about Everton and Manchester United and the prospect of ever managing them in an interview with The Athletic.

“Everton and Manchester United are the two clubs. I grew up supporting Everton and spent a long time at United. You hope in the future something becomes available and my job is to make sure I’m ready.

“You’re always tempted,” he said, when asked about the approach from the Blues last year. “It’s a club I love and want to do well. You look at it, you think of it… Is it the right timing to do that? What’s the impact if you go in and don’t have the impact you feel you can? But on the flipside, what’s the impact if you go in and really develop the club?

“I felt it wasn’t the right time over the last year or two. But if anything like that comes up in future, what I’ve built at Derby and DC United is all a development to help me make that decision easier.”