Former chief Keith Wyness has suggested that Everton could snap up Leeds United wonderkid Wilfried Gnonto for around £30 million.
Wyness, English football’s longest-serving CEO running between 2004 and 2009 at Everton talked about the type of chairman that Tishan Huang might become.
He claimed: “Everton like him and if they come in with a bid of between £30-35m, Leeds are going to have trouble putting an offer on the table”.
Leeds Under Pressure to Sell
It was also the season in which Leeds United failed to win promotion back into the Premier League and are now at a point where they could be forced to sell some of their star players.
Wyness suggested Leeds will need to manufacture an auction for Gnonto in order to command as high a price as possible but admitted that is yet to materialize.
“Certainly the talk is that Gnonto will come to Everton, they like him and sorting info directly through contacts,” Wyness said.
Leeds are now in a position where it is difficult because they do have to sell. He must have to try and start an auction, but it does not seem like that is happening, however you are never sure what clubs may be interested behind the scenes.
Everton’s Interest
Everton had been interested in Gnonto last summer and have monitored him at Leeds.
The Italian international is seen as one of the most exciting prospects in world football and he would be expected to take to English football very well.
Hopefully for them that changes as interest is high in the Genoa gem ahead of a January transfer swoop.
Market Conditions
Wyness insisted that the state of play in the market could determine the fee. I think he is worth 30-35 million.
They are hurting the market because they can ask a 3rd hand rate price. He is a talent, he could go well in the Premier League, but clubs knows Leeds need to sell.
This is going to be a nervy window for the club.
While interest in the player is high, as Leeds continue to ensure they stay financially solid and have a full squad available so it can hopefully operate at its best this term, Everton now look in the box seat for landing someone quite special.
The next fortnight is likely to prove decisive in whether Gnonto does head for Goodison Park.
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