Wilfried Gnonto has returned to the fold at Leeds United following talks with manager Daniel Farke and CEO Angus Kinnear and is expected to end his refusal to play for the Yorkshire club amid interest from Everton.
The Italian winger was hoping to join the summer exodus from Elland Road following Leeds’s relegation but, unlike many of his former team-mates, does not have a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on loan.
Jack Harrison has already made the switch to Goodison Park for the season on those terms but if the Toffees hope to land Gnonto, they will need to bid an amount acceptable to Leeds.
Thus far, reports claim that two offers, the second has high as £25m, have been offered and knocked back, with Leeds initially said to be looking for £30m but subsequent claims have that figure even higher.
Everton have well-documented financial constraints that would preclude them from paying over what they feel are the odds for Gnonto, even with the need for attacking midfield reinforcements in the wake of Alex Iwobi’s hamstring injury and it is unclear if they will be prepared to increase their offer.
Gnonto, meanwhile, having been told to train on his own and then submitting a transfer request, may now be preparing to remain with Leeds for the season rather than trying to force a move elsewhere, with his club publicly stating their intent not to sell him this transfer window.
Earlier today, his agent, Claudio Vigorelli, accused Leeds of blocking requests from clubs interested in his client, saying on Radio Sportiva: “The situation is complicated. Leeds are blocking the requests we have in the Premier League.”